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Updated: May 13, 2026
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Design and Fabrication of an Elastomeric Unit for Soft Modular Robots in Minimally Invasive Surgery
Published on: November 14, 2015
Mobility experiments with microrobots for minimally invasive intraocular surgery.
Franziska Ullrich1, Christos Bergeles, Juho Pokki
1Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|March 23, 2013
Summary
Untethered microrobots demonstrate precise control for minimally invasive eye surgery. These mobile robots show potential for targeted drug delivery and mechanical procedures within the eye.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Robotics
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Minimally invasive surgical techniques are advancing in ophthalmology.
- Microrobots offer potential for enhanced precision and reduced invasiveness in surgical procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore microrobots as tools for minimally invasive intraocular surgery.
- To demonstrate the mobility and controllability of microrobots within a living eye.
Main Methods:
- Developed a wireless magnetic control system for untethered microrobots.
- Evaluated microrobot mobility and control in vitreous, balanced salt solution (BSS), and silicone oil.
- Conducted ex vivo and in vivo animal experiments.
Main Results:
- Achieved precise wireless magnetic control of microrobots in the posterior eye segment.
- Demonstrated successful rotation and translation of microrobots in various intraocular media.
- Confirmed microrobot maneuverability within the eye during experiments.
Conclusions:
- Untethered mobile microrobots enable sutureless, precise ophthalmic procedures.
- Microrobots show promise for targeted drug delivery (e.g., AMD), anticoagulation (e.g., RVO), and mechanical tasks (e.g., ERM peeling).
- This technology can reduce surgical invasiveness and aid in treating diverse ophthalmic conditions.
