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. 2023 May 23;14(6):1099.
doi: 10.3390/mi14061099.

3D-Printed Microrobots: Translational Challenges

Affiliations

3D-Printed Microrobots: Translational Challenges

Misagh Rezapour Sarabi et al. Micromachines (Basel). .

Abstract

The science of microrobots is accelerating towards the creation of new functionalities for biomedical applications such as targeted delivery of agents, surgical procedures, tracking and imaging, and sensing. Using magnetic properties to control the motion of microrobots for these applications is emerging. Here, 3D printing methods are introduced for the fabrication of microrobots and their future perspectives are discussed to elucidate the path for enabling their clinical translation.

Keywords: 3D printing; biomaterials; clinical translation; microrobots.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Three-dimensional printing technology provides an effective means for simple, low-cost, and reproducible fabrication of different microrobot types with diverse designs and high-end biomedical applications, such as targeted drug delivery, advanced surgical procedures, particle monitoring, tissue regeneration, and biosensing toward translational medicine.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Three-dimensionally printed microrobot examples. (A) Hydrogel microfish with biomimetic structures and locomotive ability, along with functionalized nanoparticles, were developed using microscale continuous optical printing (μCOP). (B) Schematics of functionalizing a microfish for guided catalytic propulsion. Pt nanoparticles were loaded into the tail of the fish for propulsion, and Fe3O4 nanoparticles were loaded into the fish head for magnetic control. (C) Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy illustrated the iron-oxide head and platinum tail with respect to the PEGDA microfish body (scale bar: 50 μm). (D) SEM image of 3D-printed magnetic helical microswimmer fabricated using two-photon polymerization (TPP) (scale bar: 10 μm). (E) The velocity vectors of the microswimmers with forward and rolling velocity components. (F) Swimming performance evaluation results for various loadings of FePt. Subfigures (AC) were adapted with permission from [12], and subfigures (DF) were adapted from [13] in accordance with the CC-BY license.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Potential biological barriers for administration of microrobots and/or enabling their functionality. (A) Formation of protein corona on the microrobots’ surfaces. (B) Immune clearance by phagocytes caused by connection of opsonin proteins. (C) Hemorheological barrier and obstacles caused by the blood flow behavior. (D) Endothelial barrier and other challenges in cellular level. (E) Blood–brain barrier (BBB). (F) Fibrous extracellular matrix (ECM) of the tissues and high interstitial pressure in tumors. (G) Mucosal barrier. Reproduced from ref. [16] in accordance with the CC-BY license.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Three-dimensionally printed microrobots from design to translation, along with integration of microrobots with artificial intelligence (AI) and physical intelligence (PI) technologies. Application of AI and PI can aid in designing application-specific microrobots and optimize the 3D printing process to reduce defects. During the application phase, these technologies can assist clinicians in tracking microrobots, improving maneuverability through parameter adjustments, sensing and independently responding to environmental stimuli, such as releasing drugs at specific pH levels. Finally, patient data can be analyzed in a time-efficient manner for personalized recommendations. Adapted from ref. [7] in accordance with the CC-BY license.

References

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