RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Development of a magnetic microrobot for carrying and delivering targeted cells
JF Science Robotics
JO Sci. Robotics
FD American Association for the Advancement of Science
SP eaat8829
DO 10.1126/scirobotics.aat8829
VO 3
IS 19
A1 Li, Junyang
A1 Li, Xiaojian
A1 Luo, Tao
A1 Wang, Ran
A1 Liu, Chichi
A1 Chen, Shuxun
A1 Li, Dongfang
A1 Yue, Jianbo
A1 Cheng, Shuk-han
A1 Sun, D.
YR 2018
UL http://robotics.sciencemag.org/content/3/19/eaat8829.abstract
AB The precise delivery of targeted cells through magnetic field–driven microrobots/carriers is a promising technique for targeted therapy and tissue regeneration. This paper presents a microrobot designed with a burr-like porous spherical structure for carrying and delivering targeted cells in vivo under a magnetic gradient field–driven mechanism. The robot was fabricated by using three-dimensional laser lithography and coated with Ni for magnetic actuation and Ti for biocompatibility. Numerical and experimental studies demonstrated that the proposed microrobot design could enhance magnetic driving capability, promote cell-carrying capacity, and benefit cell viability. Microrobots loaded with cells could be automatically controlled to reach a desired site by using a self-constructed electromagnetic coil system, as verified by in vivo transport of cell-cultured microrobots in zebrafish embryos. The carried cells could be spontaneously released from the microrobot to the surrounding tissues; in vitro experiments showed that cells from the microrobot were directly released onto the desired site or were able to pass through the blood vessel–like microchannel to arrive at the delivery area. Further in vivo cell-releasing tests were performed on nude mice, followed by histological study. This research provides a microrobotic device platform for regenerative medicine and cell-based therapy.