Nanobot medicine is making significant strides in the realm of targeted therapies, offering a promising approach to treating various diseases with precision. A recent study introduced a magnetically guided microrobotic drug delivery system capable of navigating the human vasculature under physiological conditions. This system integrates a clinical electromagnetic navigation system, a custom-designed release catheter, and a dissolvable capsule for accurate therapeutic delivery. In vitro tests demonstrated precise navigation in human vasculature models, and in vivo experiments confirmed tracking under fluoroscopy and successful navigation in large animal models. The microrobot balances magnetic material concentration, contrast agent loading, and therapeutic drug capacity, enabling effective hosting of therapeutics despite the integration complexity of its components, offering a promising solution for precise targeted drug delivery. arxiv.org
Another innovative approach involves biohybrid microrobots engineered from jellyfish stinging capsules and Janus particles. These microrobots are designed for deep-tissue drug penetration, utilizing the natural nanoinjector properties of jellyfish stinging capsules. Externally controlled by magnetic fields, the capsules are activated by specific enzymes introduced to the solution, triggering tubule ejection and release of preloaded molecules. In vitro demonstrations have shown successful penetration and drug delivery to targeted cancer spheroids and live Caenorhabditis elegans, highlighting the potential of bio-inspired microrobots for deep tissue drug delivery. arxiv.org