Tiny Magnetic Robot Could Transform Surgery, Cancer Treatment, Scientists Say
Tiny Magnetic Robot Could Transform Surgery, Cancer Treatment, Scientists Say
Tiny Magnetic Robot Could Transform Surgery, Cancer Treatment, Scientists Say
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University have developed a microscopic magnetic soft robot that may redefine the future of surgery, offering multiple medical functions in a device smaller than a grain of rice.
The robot, measuring just 4.4 millimetres in length, is controlled wirelessly using weak magnetic fields and is capable of performing a range of surgical tasks inside the human body. These include cutting biological tissue, delivering drugs, collecting biopsy samples, generating localized heat, and navigating through soft and uneven internal surfaces.
The study, led by Associate Professor Lum Guo Zhan of NTU’s School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and published in Advanced Materials, highlights the device’s ability to switch between five distinct functions in less than one second.
At the core of the innovation is a reprogrammable magnetic module embedded within a flexible silicone structure. By altering magnetic orientation, the robot instantly changes function, effectively transforming into different surgical tools without physical modification.
In laboratory experiments involving chicken liver and synthetic soft-tissue models, the robot successfully demonstrated cutting, targeted drug release, biopsy collection, and heat generation. Researchers noted that the heating function could one day be adapted for highly targeted cancer therapies, potentially allowing treatment at the cellular level with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Scientists say the technology represents a major step forward in precision medicine, where treatments are delivered directly to affected areas with minimal invasiveness. If further developed for clinical use, such micro-robots could reduce the need for traditional surgery, shorten recovery times, and improve outcomes for complex internal conditions.
Experts caution that while the results are promising, further testing and clinical trials will be required before the technology can be used in human patients.
Nevertheless, the development is being widely viewed as a significant milestone in biomedical engineering, pointing toward a future where complex procedures may be performed by devices no larger than a grain of sand operating deep within the human body.
Tiny Magnetic Robot Could Transform Surgery, Cancer Treatment, Scientists Say
