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Mar, 2024;4 (3): 2300211.

State of the Art in Actuation of Micro/Nanorobots for Biomedical Applications.

Ahmed Elnaggar, Seungyeop Kang, Mingzhen Tian, Bing Han, Meysam Keshavarz
Author Information
  1. Ahmed Elnaggar: Mechanical Engineering Imperial College London Bessemer Building South Kensington Campus Exhibition Road Kensington London SW7 2AZ UK.
  2. Seungyeop Kang: The Hamlyn Centre for Robotic Surgery Imperial College London Bessemer Building South Kensington Campus Exhibition Road Kensington London SW7 2AZ UK. ORCID
  3. Mingzhen Tian: Institute of Medical Robotics School of Biomedical Engineering Shanghai Jiao Tong University Dongchuan Road Shanghai 200240 China.
  4. Bing Han: Institute of Medical Robotics School of Biomedical Engineering Shanghai Jiao Tong University Dongchuan Road Shanghai 200240 China.
  5. Meysam Keshavarz: Imperial College London Electrical and Electronic Engineering Bessemer Building South Kensington Campus Exhibition Road Kensington London SW7 2AZ UK. ORCID
PMID: 40212697 DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202300211

Abstract

The emergence of micro/nanorobotics stands poised to revolutionize various biomedical applications, given its potential to offer precision, reduced invasiveness, and enhanced functionality. In the face of such potential, understanding the mechanisms that drive these tiny robots, especially their actuation techniques, becomes critical. Although there is a surge in research dedicated to micro/nanorobotics, there exists a gap in consolidating the diverse actuation strategies and their suitability for biomedical applications. This comprehensive review seeks to bridge this gap by providing an in-depth evaluation of the current actuation techniques employed by micro/nanorobots, particularly emphasizing their relevance and potential for clinical translation. The discussion starts by elucidating the different actuation strategies, ranging from magnetic, electric, acoustic, light-based, to chemical and biological mechanisms. Then, various examples and meticulous assessment of each technique are offered, spotlighting their respective merits and limitations within a biomedical context. This review illuminates the transformative capabilities of these actuation methods in medicine. It not only highlights the progress made in this burgeoning field but also underscores the areas that require further exploration and development.

Keywords

electrical actuation magnetic actuation micro/nanorobots optical actuation ultrasonic actuation

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