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Micro-rocket robot with all-optic actuating and tracking in blood
Dengfeng Li1, Chao Liu1, Yuanyuan Yang1
11Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 999077 Hong Kong, China.
Light, Science & Applications
|May 16, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed a novel micro-rocket robot capable of high-speed movement and precise tracking within blood vessels. This innovation addresses key challenges in microrobotics for medical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Robotics
- Optical Imaging
Background:
- Microrobots offer potential for in-body medical treatments and surgeries.
- Current limitations include slow speeds in viscous fluids and difficulty in tracking within the bloodstream.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a micro-rocket robot and an all-optic system for high-speed actuation and tracking in blood.
- To overcome existing challenges in microrobot speed and visibility within biological environments.
Main Methods:
- Engineered a rocket-like triple-tube micro-robot for enhanced propulsion.
- Utilized near-infrared light for actuation in a blood-mimicking viscous glycerol solution.
- Employed optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy for tracking in blood.
Main Results:
- The micro-rocket achieved a speed of 2.8 mm/s (62 body lengths per second).
- Successful tracking of the micro-rocket with 3.2-µm resolution in blood was demonstrated.
- The system enables precise control and observation of microrobots in a blood environment.
Conclusions:
- The developed micro-rocket and all-optic system represent a significant advancement for in-vivo microrobotics.
- This technology has the potential to expand the applications of microrobots in the biomedical field.
- Enables high-speed, high-resolution microrobot operation and tracking within the bloodstream.
