Designing a Magnetic Micro-Robot for Transporting Filamentous Microcargo

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel helical micro-robot design with alternating handedness for non-contact transport of filamentous microcargo, advancing minimally invasive medical procedures and targeted drug delivery.

Contribution

It proposes a new three-section helical micro-robot design that improves non-contact filament transport, supported by simulations and analysis of shape and geometrical parameters.

Findings

Enhanced filament capture and transport demonstrated in simulations

Design improves non-contact cargo delivery efficiency

Insights into helical micro-robot physics for medical applications

Abstract

In recent years, the medical industry has witnessed a growing interest in minimally invasive procedures, with magnetic microrobots emerging as a promising approach. These micro-robots possess the ability to navigate through various media, including viscoelastic and non-Newtonian fluids, enabling targeted drug delivery and medical interventions. Many current designs, inspired by micro-swimmers in biological systems like bacteria and sperm, employ a contact-based method for transporting a payload. Adhesion between the cargo and the carrier can make release at the target site problematic. In this project, our primary objective was to explore the potential of a helical micro-robot for non-contact drug or cargo delivery. We conducted a comprehensive study on the shape and geometrical parameters of the helical microrobot, specifically focusing on its capability to transport passive filaments. Based on our analysis, we propose a novel design consisting of three sections with alternating handedness, including two pulling and one pushing microhelices, to enhance the capture and transport of passive filaments in Newtonian fluids using a non-contact approach. We then simulated the process of capturing and transporting the passive filament, and tested the functionality of the newly designed micro-robot. Our findings offer valuable insights into the physics of helical micro-robots and their potential for medical procedures and drug delivery. Furthermore, the proposed non-contact method for delivering filamentous cargo could lead to the development of more efficient and effective microrobots for medical applications.