Microrobots for Biomedicine: Unsolved Challenges and Opportunities for Translation

Abstract

Microrobots are being explored for biomedical applications, such as drug delivery, biological cargo transport, and minimally invasive surgery. However, current efforts largely focus on proof-of-concept studies with nontranslatable materials through a "design-and-apply" approach, limiting the potential for clinical adaptation. While these proof-of-concept studies have been key to advancing microrobot technologies, we believe that the distinguishing capabilities of microrobots will be most readily brought to patient bedsides through a "design-by-problem" approach, which involves focusing on unsolved problems to inform the design of microrobots with practical capabilities. As outlined below, we propose that the clinical translation of microrobots will be accelerated by a judicious choice of target applications, improved delivery considerations, and the rational selection of translation-ready biomaterials, ultimately reducing patient burden and enhancing the efficacy of therapeutic drugs for difficult-to-treat diseases.

Figure 1.

Advancements, opportunities, and unsolved challenges for the clinical translation of medical microrobots. Some parts of this figure were made with BioRender.

Figure 2.

Medical microrobots design approach for real-world applications. Some parts of this figure were made with BioRender.

Figure 3.

Considerations and strategies for the delivery of microrobots in vivo. Some parts of this figure were made with BioRender.

Figure 4.

Considerations for selecting or designing materials for microrobots. Some parts of this figure were made with BioRender.