Wireless Peristaltic Pump for Transporting Viscous Fluids and Solid Cargos in Confined Spaces

The transport of fluids and solids is a vital process inside the human body, facilitated by the wave-like motion in the lumen called peristalsis. However, peristalsis may be compromised due to tumor growth, resulting in difficulties in lumen motility. The dysmotility of the human lumen can result in blockages and pose numerous challenges, including aspiration in the lungs and reproductive issues in the female oviduct. Restoring peristalsis in medical devices, such as medical stents, can prevent device blockage and promote effective transport. Here, a wirelessly actuated soft robotic undulating pump designed to efficiently transport both viscous fluidic and solid cargos is proposed. The kinematics of the single sheet and the coordination between pairs are systematically designed to generate undulation and peristalsis, enabling the pumping of both liquids and solids. The integration of the undulating pump is demonstrated onto an esophageal stent. The same undulating motion-based pumping mechanism can be adapted for usage in other organs, such as the female oviduct, thereby offering potential applications for treating lumen dysmotility in various diseases. The proposed wirelessly actuated robotic pumping mechanism holds promise in facilitating diverse implantable medical devices aimed at treating diseases characterized by impaired peristalsis and dysmotility.