Essex University research finds microrobots can be used for surgery

The university study is the first time scientists have develop magnetic microrobots, in order to remove deposits in shunts, an internal medical device used to drain excess fluid from organs.

Shunts are commonly used to treat a variety of ailments, however, they are prone to malfunctioning and can cause blockages due to a build-up of sediment.

The sediment blockage not only narrows and obstructs liquid passing through the shunt, but also affects the shunts flexibility.

This means patients may need repeated invasive surgery throughout their lifetime, either to replace the shunt, or to use a catheter to drain the blockage.

New research led by microrobotics expert, Dr Ali Hoshiar, from Essex’s School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, has shown a wireless, non invasive alternative to clearing the blockage is possible.

Published in the IEEE Biomedical Engineering Journal, Dr Hoshiar and his team have identified a swarm of hundreds of microrobots, made of nano sized magnetic nanoparticles, could remove the sediment.

In order to do so, the nano sized robots are injected into the shunt.

Dr Hoshiar said: “Once the magnetic microrobots are injected into the shunt, they can be moved along the tube to the affected area using a magnetic field, generated by a powerful magnet on the body’s surface.”

 “The swarm of microrobots can then be moved so they scrape away the sediment, clearing the tube.

“The non-invasive nature of this method is a considerable advantage to existing methods as it will potentially eliminate the risk of surgery and a surgery-related infection, thereby decreasing recovery time.”

The research is the first proof-of-concept experiment using micro swarms for opening a blockage in a shunt.

The next stage of the research is to work with clinicians to carry out trials, whilst also looking at how the concept can be used to other applications.