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Researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and several partner institutions in China have developed swarms of micro-robots that could one day revolutionize the treatment of chronic sinus infections. These robots, each smaller than the width of a human hair, can be inserted into the sinuses via the nose using a catheter. Once inside, they are guided by magnetic fields and activated by light to generate heat and reactive chemicals that destroy bacterial infections—then they are expelled naturally through the nose. This method aims to provide a non-invasive, drug-free alternative to traditional antibiotics.
The research, published in Science Robotics, demonstrated the micro-robots’ ability to eliminate bacteria from pig sinuses and clear infections in live rabbits without causing noticeable tissue damage. The tiny bots are embedded with copper atoms, which react under light exposure to break through pus and release reactive oxygen species that kill bacteria. The team has also built a model showing how the technology could work in humans, potentially aiding in the treatment of infections in not just sinuses, but also the respiratory and urinary tracts.
This innovation is part of the growing field of medical micro- and nano-robotics, which aims to provide highly targeted treatments while minimizing systemic side effects. Experts say these micro-robots could be ready for clinical use within five to ten years, although regulatory approvals and scalable manufacturing remain hurdles. The ability to direct treatments precisely to infected tissues, rather than flooding the body with drugs, is a major advantage.
Despite the promise, some researchers caution that public perception could slow adoption. Concerns include the fear of foreign devices being inserted into the body and the possibility of micro-robots being left behind. Still, proponents argue that the benefits outweigh the risks and that people will likely adapt to the idea as they see the technology’s effectiveness. As Prof. Sylvain Martel from Polytechnique de Montréal put it, “The main advantage with micro-robots is the targeting,” enabling more efficient and less harmful treatments.
