"Biodegradable caterpillar inspired soft robotic systems for targeted therapeutic delivery with intelligent in vivo...

Caterpillar-theorized soft robots are being developed as a new device for targeted drug delivery and less-invasive diagnostics. They replicate caterpillar movement through versatile, wave-like peristaltic motion and soft, adaptable structures that enable them to navigate narrow, curved, or irregular pathways in the body that conventional devices often cannot. Advances in fabrication, such as 3D printing and biodegradable magnetic composites, have enabled the development of soft robots that are both flexible and biocompatible and that can safely break down once their task is complete. Actuation methods, such as magnetic or pneumatic control, combined with built-in sensors, enable these robots to deliver drugs to specific sites at precise times while monitoring conditions around them; moreover, beyond delivering medication, they can also be used for imaging and early disease detection, specifically in the gastrointestinal tract and cancer care. There are still challenges to address, including producing the robots at a larger scale, reducing their size without sacrificing functionality, ensuring safety within the body, reliability and meeting regulatory standards. Meeting these challenges will require close cooperation among engineers, materials scientists and clinicians to develop multifunctional platforms that integrate biomimetic movement with precise drug delivery, resulting in safer, effective and personalized treatments.