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Fully Wireless and Flexible Valves for Multiplexed and Prolonged Intravesical Liquid Release
Boyang Xiao1, Yi Zhu1, Yusheng Wang1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Advanced Healthcare Materials
|May 7, 2026
Summary
A novel soft robotic patch with magnetic valves enables precise, long-term, and on-demand drug delivery for bladder diseases. This minimally invasive technology offers controlled release and mixing of multiple therapeutics, improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Robotics
Background:
- Conventional bladder disease treatments lack precise control, cause discomfort, and risk infection.
- Existing intravesical devices have limited therapeutic capabilities and can cause bladder overactivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a remotely controlled, soft robotic patch for precise, multiplexed, and sustained intravesical drug delivery.
- To overcome limitations of current drug delivery methods for bladder conditions.
Main Methods:
- Integration of flexible magnetic valves with soft osmotic pumps for controlled liquid delivery.
- Development of a bioadhesive soft patch for stable, long-term attachment to bladder tissue.
- Utilizing a portable magnetic actuation system with wireless feedback for selective valve control.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated precise dosing, selective release, and on-demand mixing of multiple therapeutics.
- Achieved stable attachment to wet bladder tissue for over seven days.
- Validated robust adhesion, controlled multiplexed delivery, and long-term operational stability in phantom and ex vivo studies.
Conclusions:
- The developed platform provides a foundation for minimally invasive, on-demand intravesical therapy.
- This technology enables precision medicine for bladder diseases through controlled, multiplexed drug delivery.
- Offers a significant advancement over current treatments for interstitial cystitis and bladder cancer.
Keywords:
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