Magnetic slippery microcatheter with artificial cilia for low-friction interventions

Medical catheters are essential in minimally invasive procedures, enabling precise navigation and treatment within complex anatomical structures. However, their rigidity and limited flexibility can exert excessive mechanical forces on fragile luminal tissues, causing abrasions, microtears, or perforations and increasing the risks of inflammation and other complications, ultimately compromising safety and efficacy. Inspired by foxtail grass, we developed a magnetically actuated liquid-infused slippery microcatheter (LISMC) with artificial cilia. Its soft magnetic cilia and hydrogel coating allow smooth traversal of luminal surfaces, reducing friction by two-thirds compared to conventional designs. Magnetic cilium oscillation enhances adaptability to complex pathways and minimizes friction during navigation. As a proof of concept, the LISMC precisely deployed helical microswimmers to the bile duct and actuated them downstream for x-ray-guided treatment of acute pancreatitis with rabbit models. This LISMC provides a transformative advancement in interventional medicine, offering a scalable and adaptively reconfigurable platform for next-generation therapeutic applications.