Magnetic-Piezoelectric Micro Robot for Precise Cancer Cell Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating cancer cells, such as heat-based infiltrating methods and near-infrared ray treatments, face challenges in precision and accessibility, particularly in deep tissue tumors, and existing bacteria-based micro robots lack precise control and multifunctionality in hyperthermia and electrotherapy.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic-piezoelectric micro robot combining magnetic and piezoelectric particles to generate heat and electrical stimuli, allowing for hyperthermia and electrotherapy, with 3D position control using external magnetic fields, enabling precise targeting and minimization of damage to normal cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a bacteria-based micro robot is used for cancer cell removal, then the micro robot can move inside the body, but precise location control and electrotherapy capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines magnetic particles and piezoelectric particles within a single micro robot system. The magnetic particles enable precise positioning through external magnetic fields, while the piezoelectric particles provide electrotherapy capability through piezoelectric effect. This merging of two different functional systems resolves the contradiction between precise location control and electrotherapy capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro robot is designed with dual functionality: it can perform both hyperthermia treatment (through magnetic particle heating) and electrotherapy (through piezoelectric particle electrical stimulus generation). This multi-functional design allows the same micro robot system to achieve both precise positioning and multiple treatment modalities, eliminating the limitations of single-function bacteria-based systems.
2Reliability
If an infiltrating method with electric current is used to remove cancer cells, then cancer cells can be destroyed by heat, but the needle is difficult to locate at an accurate point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical needle infiltration system with a magnetic-piezoelectric micro robot system. Instead of using a physical needle that is difficult to position accurately, the invention uses magnetic particles for non-contact positioning and piezoelectric particles for treatment delivery. This substitution eliminates the positioning accuracy problem while maintaining cancer cell destruction effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If a noninfiltrating method using near infrared ray is used to heat carbon nanotube, then needle infiltration is avoided, but the near infrared ray is difficult to reach deep inside the body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the heating mechanism from near-infrared ray (which has limited penetration depth) to magnetic field-induced heating of magnetic particles. Magnetic fields can penetrate deep into the body effectively, and the magnetic particles convert magnetic energy to heat directly at the target location. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between noninfiltrating operation and deep tissue heating capability.
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
The magnetic-piezoelectric micro robot effectively targets cancer cells with precise 3D positioning and multifunctional therapy, enhancing treatment efficiency and applicability in various cell therapies, including cancer treatment, neuron stimulation, and muscle promotion.
Implementation Method 1
a stimulus generating layer generating heat from the magnetic particle by an external stimulus
Implementation Method 2
generating an electrical stimulus from the piezoelectric particle by an external stimulus
Implementation Method 3
The magnetic-piezoelectric micro robot may provide a three-dimensional (3D) position control by an external magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a magnetic-piezoelectric micro robot capable of a hyperthermia treatment, an electrotherapy and a cell therapy. The magnetic-piezoelectric micro robot includes a body and a stimulus generating layer formed at a surface of the body including a magnetic particle and a piezoelectric particle and generating heat from the magnetic particle and generating an electrical stimulus from the piezoelectric particle by an external stimulus, wherein one of a hyperthermia treatment by the magnetic particle or an electrotherapy by the piezoelectric particle is performed or both are performed simultaneously.