High-Resolution SPECT Imaging of Stimuli-Responsive Soft Microrobots

Untethered small-scale robots have great potential for biomedical applications. However, critical barriers to effective translation of these miniaturized machines into clinical practice exist. High resolution tracking and imaging in vivo is one of the barriers that limit the use of micro- and nanorobots in clinical applications. Here, the inclusion of radioactive compounds in soft thermoresponsive magnetic microrobots is investigated to enable their single-photon emission computed tomography imaging. Four microrobotic platforms differing in hydrogel structure and four ^99m Tc[Tc]-based radioactive compounds are investigated in order to achieve optimal contrast agent retention and optimal imaging. Single microrobot imaging of structures as low as 100 µm in diameter, as well as tracking of shape switching from tubular to planar configurations by inclusion of ^99m Tc[Tc] colloid in the hydrogel structure, is reported.