Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026
07:41
Design and Implementation of a Bespoke Robotic Manipulator for Extra-corporeal Ultrasound
Published on: January 7, 2019
Multifunctional Magnetic Droplet Robots for Urological Applications: From Drug Delivery to Stone Retrieval
Angelina Lin1,2, Joanna Tang1,2, Chunlian Zhong1,2
1Department of Urology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
Micromachines
|May 27, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a novel magnetic soft robotic platform for urological procedures. These highly deformable ferrofluid droplets navigate complex urinary tracts, enabling targeted drug delivery and stone removal for minimally invasive treatments.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Robotics
- Urology
Background:
- Urinary tract interventions face anatomical challenges, limiting access and risking trauma.
- Current methods struggle with deep access and precision in the renal pelvis and ureters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a multifunctional, magnetically controlled ferrofluid droplet robotic platform.
- To engineer high deformability and precision navigation for urological procedures.
Main Methods:
- Custom electromagnetic actuation system optimized via COMSOL Multiphysics simulations.
- Experimental validation in simplified and 3D-printed urinary tract models.
- Analysis of droplet locomotion governed by magnetic forces, interfacial tension, and viscous drag.
Main Results:
- Droplets demonstrated controlled locomotion, reversible deformation, and passage through narrow constrictions.
- Achieved translational velocities up to 260 mm/s (single-coil) and 108 mm/s (dual-coil).
- Successfully executed targeted dye release for drug delivery and mechanical capture of artificial kidney stones.
Conclusions:
- The ferrofluid droplet platform offers a versatile solution for minimally invasive urological procedures.
- Highlights the potential of soft magnetic microrobotics in integrated therapeutic applications.
- Enables precise navigation and functional interventions within complex urinary anatomy.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Urinary Tract Calculi VI: Surgical Management
Procedures for Kidney StonesMedical intervention is necessary when kidney stones or renal calculi are too large to pass spontaneously (typically greater than 5 millimeters) when stones are accompanied by symptomatic infection (such as fever or pyelonephritis), when they impair kidney function, or when they cause persistent symptoms like severe pain, nausea, or urinary retention. Additionally, patients with only one kidney or those who cannot be treated with medical management also require...
01:27Drug Delivery Systems: Different Types
Conventional oral drug products, termed immediate-release (IR) formulations, are engineered to promptly release their active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) upon ingestion, typically in tablets or capsules. This rapid release often results in swift drug absorption and consequent pharmacodynamic effects, although the timing and intensity can vary depending on the drug's properties. Prodrugs within these formulations require metabolic conversion to activate their pharmacodynamic effects,...
01:27Imaging Studies IV: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Introduction:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI, can include a specialized imaging technique of the urinary system known as Magnetic Resonance Urography (MRU). This radiation-free technique uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images with the help of a computer. MRU is particularly effective for visualizing fluid-filled structures like the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.Applications of MRI in the Genitourinary SystemKidneys and Ureters: MRI detects tumors, cysts,...