Magnetic-Driven Colloidal Microbots for Vascular Propulsion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current interventional cardiology procedures are invasive, costly, and limited in their ability to control direction and continuously power microbots in biological systems, particularly in the cardiovascular system, due to viscous forces and the need for blood flow to deliver devices to specific locations.
Innovation Solution
The development of wheel-shaped colloidal microbots propelled by oscillating magnetic fields, allowing them to roll along surfaces within the vascular system, achieving speeds 10-100 times faster than traditional fluid-based methods and enabling targeted applications without relying on blood flow, with the ability to disassemble into individual particles when the magnetic field is removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If catheter-based methods are used to reach targets in the cardiovascular system, then invasive procedures can be performed, but the system cannot access the entire vascular system and requires invasive access
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the delivery mechanism into microscopic particles (1-100 micrometers) that can navigate the entire vascular system independently, eliminating the need for large-bore catheter access. These segmented particles can reach areas inaccessible to traditional catheters while requiring only minimal invasive access for injection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical catheter-based delivery system with a magnetic field-driven colloidal particle system. Instead of using large mechanical catheters that require invasive access, the system uses externally applied magnetic fields to guide and control microscopic particles through the bloodstream, enabling non-invasive or minimally invasive delivery to any vascular location.
2Speed
If traditional fluid-based microbot methods are used, then devices can be delivered through blood flow, but translation speeds are limited and blood flow is required to reach target locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes passive fluid-based transport with active magnetic field-driven propulsion. Colloidal particles equipped with magnetic components respond to externally applied magnetic fields, enabling controlled translation at speeds 10-100 times faster than blood flow would carry them. This allows the system to reach target locations independently of blood flow conditions, including areas with low or no flow such as ischemic regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic oscillating magnetic fields to drive the colloidal particles forward. By applying alternating magnetic fields at specific frequencies, the particles experience periodic forces that propel them through the bloodstream at enhanced speeds, overcoming the limitations of passive advection by blood flow and enabling rapid delivery to target sites regardless of flow conditions.
3Ease of operation
If magnetic field techniques are used to drive microbots, then non-invasive approach is achieved, but ability to control direction and continuously power smaller devices is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic, time-varying magnetic fields to control the colloidal particles. By modulating the amplitude, frequency, and phase of applied magnetic fields, the system achieves precise directional control of particle movement. The magnetic particles respond dynamically to field changes, enabling steering and positioning at the target location while the external field source provides continuous power without requiring onboard power sources on the microscopic particles.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables rapid, minimally invasive, and targeted movement of microbots within biological systems, allowing for faster translation speeds, precise control, and the ability to reach areas with low or no blood flow, such as during an ischemic stroke, facilitating procedures like clot removal and medication delivery.
Implementation Method 1
application of a magnetic field to the colloidal particles to form the microbot
Implementation Method 2
The ferrofluids are magnetically manipulated and moved throughout the blood vessels of a patient with an external magnetic field generator
Implementation Method 3
wheel-shaped colloidal microbots propelled by oscillating magnetic fields, allowing them to roll along surfaces within the vascular system, achieving speeds 10-100 times faster than traditional fluid-based methods
Implementation Method 4
These previous efforts are limited in their ability to control direction and continuously power the smaller devices
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a magnetic-field driven colloidal microbot that employs wall-based propulsion, method of forming the microbot and a method of using the microbot. The microbot can be formed in situ with the use of magnetic fields, and the magnetic fields can be used to translate the microbot to a specified location in a patient. The microbot does not depend on “swimming” or flow currents within a patient to move, but instead can propel itself along a surface using a magnetic field. Once the magnetic field is removed, the microbot disassembles into colloidal particles.