TriMag Microrobots: 3D-Printed Microrobots for Magnetic Actuation, Imaging, and Hyperthermia

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Microrobots show promise for drug delivery, diagnostics, and surgery.
• Scalable fabrication and deep-tissue tracking are major hurdles for clinical use.
• Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) offers non-invasive visualization of magnetic nanoparticles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce TriMag microrobots with integrated magnetic actuation, MPI, and hyperthermia capabilities.
• To develop a scalable and precise fabrication method for magnetic microrobots.
• To demonstrate the efficacy of TriMag microrobots in biological environments and therapeutic applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized two-photon lithography for 3D printing hydrogel scaffolds.
• Embedded Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles for MPI contrast and CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles for hyperthermia.
• Developed a combined fabrication and in situ nanoparticle embedding technique.

Main Results:

• Achieved scalable and precise fabrication of helical magnetic hydrogel microrobots.
• Demonstrated efficient magnetic actuation, MPI tracking in organs (porcine eye, mouse stomach), and magnetothermal tumor ablation.
• Showcased synergistic effects of dual magnetic nanoparticles for enhanced functionality.

Conclusions:

• The TriMag microrobot platform enables non-invasive monitoring and manipulation.
• This approach addresses critical challenges in microrobot fabrication and deep-tissue imaging.
• Offers a robust platform for advanced medical treatments and biological research.