Bentao Zou , Huibin Liu , Xuehao Fen , Zhizheng Gao , Zhixing Ge , Wenguang Yang
{"title":"Design, optimization, and validation of a magnetic mother-child robot system for targeted drug delivery","authors":"Bentao Zou , Huibin Liu , Xuehao Fen , Zhizheng Gao , Zhixing Ge , Wenguang Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.matdes.2025.113827","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Traditional untethered magnetic microrobots utilized for in vivo targeted drug delivery face challenges related to poor maneuverability and limited kinematic performance. In this study, we harness the strengths of both magnetic continuum robots (acting as “mother” units) and untethered microrobots (functioning as “child” units), refining the motion model to develop a magnetically driven mother–child robotic system. We have also enhanced the structural design of the magnetic continuum and optimized the batch fabrication process of pH-responsive hydrogel integrated with the microrobots. This design allows the child robots to be deployed by the mother unit and subsequently retrieved upon task completion. Our strategy, which aims to minimize foreign body presence and reduce side effects, was validated using an in vitro gastric model, demonstrating the feasibility and enhanced operability of this system.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":383,"journal":{"name":"Materials & Design","volume":"253 ","pages":"Article 113827"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Materials & Design","FirstCategoryId":"88","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264127525002473","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"MATERIALS SCIENCE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Traditional untethered magnetic microrobots utilized for in vivo targeted drug delivery face challenges related to poor maneuverability and limited kinematic performance. In this study, we harness the strengths of both magnetic continuum robots (acting as “mother” units) and untethered microrobots (functioning as “child” units), refining the motion model to develop a magnetically driven mother–child robotic system. We have also enhanced the structural design of the magnetic continuum and optimized the batch fabrication process of pH-responsive hydrogel integrated with the microrobots. This design allows the child robots to be deployed by the mother unit and subsequently retrieved upon task completion. Our strategy, which aims to minimize foreign body presence and reduce side effects, was validated using an in vitro gastric model, demonstrating the feasibility and enhanced operability of this system.
期刊介绍：
Materials and Design is a multi-disciplinary journal that publishes original research reports, review articles, and express communications. The journal focuses on studying the structure and properties of inorganic and organic materials, advancements in synthesis, processing, characterization, and testing, the design of materials and engineering systems, and their applications in technology. It aims to bring together various aspects of materials science, engineering, physics, and chemistry.
The journal explores themes ranging from materials to design and aims to reveal the connections between natural and artificial materials, as well as experiment and modeling. Manuscripts submitted to Materials and Design should contain elements of discovery and surprise, as they often contribute new insights into the architecture and function of matter.
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
分享
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
扫码关注我们
