Key points from article :
Micro/nano-robots (MNRs) could transform healthcare, offering solutions like repairing brain bleeds and delivering chemotherapy directly to tumours. However, their limited ability to navigate the human bloodstream has kept them from reaching clinical trials. Published in Nature Communications, researchers from the University of Saskatchewan (USask) have made a breakthrough in the design of MNRs, which could soon bring these tiny medical tools closer to clinical trials.
Dr. Chris Zhang, alongside Ph.D. students and alumni, developed a model that accounts for the real behaviour of blood flow and vessel dynamics, a critical improvement over existing frameworks. Inspired by a personal connection to brain bleed surgery, Zhang’s team designed corkscrew-shaped MNRs powered by an external magnetic system, enabling them to "swim" efficiently against blood flow. This advancement enhances their ability to reach remote areas like small brain vessels or inaccessible tumours.
The team’s work has also produced a 3D-printed prototype, a step toward clinical trials—the next milestone for these medical devices. Zhang credits interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly with biomedical and medical experts, for advancing this ground-breaking research.
