Science Robotics: New microrobots developed for targeted drug delivery

Researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have created microrobots that can precisely deliver drugs to the right parts of the body. A paper describing the work appears in the journal Science Robotics.

These microrobots are spherical structures made of hydrogel capable of carrying therapeutic drugs. To create them, the researchers used a two-photon polymerization technique, which enables to "print" the structures with nanometer precision. This made it possible to obtain balls with a diameter of about 30 microns—about the thickness of a human hair.

These microrobots are equipped with microcavities that hold the air bubbles necessary for their movement. Under the influence of ultrasound, these bubbles vibrate, creating streams of fluid that propel the microrobots towards the target. The movement of the devices can be monitored in real-time using ultrasound scanning, facilitating treatment monitoring and adjustment.

These microrobots have already been tested on laboratory mice with bladder tumors. They have helped reduce tumors much more effectively than traditional methods. The next phase of the researchers' work will be to test this technology on humans.

The researchers are confident that in the future, these microrobots can be used in order to treat various diseases.

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