Microrobots for neurosurgical applications
Inventors
Ansari, Azadeh • Hoang, Kimberly • Wang, Tony
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12582492-B2
Publication Date
2026-03-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a micro-robot comprising a body, a helical ridge disposed on an exterior surface of the body, and at least one end effector coupled to the body. At least a portion of the micro-robot can comprise a magnetic material. The micro-robot can be configured to be inserted into a patient's body. The micro-robot can be further configured to be manipulated via a magnetic stimulus external to the patient's body.
Core Innovation
The problem being addressed is enabling neurosurgical minimally invasive procedures in a patient's body by using micro-robots that can be inserted and then manipulated to reach a target site. The disclosed micro-robot is configured for insertion into a patient's body and includes a body, a helical ridge disposed on an exterior surface of the body, and at least one end effector coupled to the body. The end effector includes a reservoir.
The reservoir comprises teeth and threads, which are used for extracting and storing biological samples. At least a portion of the micro-robot comprises a magnetic material, enabling manipulation via a magnetic stimulus external to the patient's body. The helical ridge and the magnetic actuation are presented as cooperating structural features to support movement such as rolling and tunneling/swimming toward a second site and to assist with task performance at a target site.
A system architecture and control concept is also described, including a controller, a user interface, electromagnetic coils, and circuitry that modulates electrical current, frequency, and/or voltage to control the magnetic stimulus. The disclosed method concept includes delivering the micro-robot to a first site and controlling the micro-robot to travel to a second site using the magnetic-field manipulation. Actuation is described for therapy delivery, biopsy sampling/storage, and responding to magnetic/ultrasonic/radiofrequency/chemical stimuli, with imaging-guided closed-loop control using CT and MRI.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims presented in the partial content cover two inventive features: a micro-robot with specific structural features and external magnetic-stimulus manipulation, and a system-level control arrangement using a controller and electromagnetic coils. Dependent claim refinements add sample extraction/storage using the reservoir subcomponents, tissue/drilling interactions, specific locomotion through fluids/tissues, and specific magnetic materials.
Magnetic-actuated micro-robot for patient insertion with helical ridge
A micro-robot configured to be inserted into a patient's body including a body; a helical ridge disposed on an exterior surface of the body; at least one end effector comprising a reservoir and coupled to the body; wherein the reservoir comprises teeth and threads; wherein at least a portion of the micro-robot comprises a magnetic material; and wherein the micro-robot is further configured to be manipulated via a magnetic stimulus external to the patient's body.
Controller with electromagnetic coils and coil modulation for magnetic manipulation
A system including the micro-robot of claim 1 and a controller with a user interface, electromagnetic coils, and circuitry that modulates the coils' electrical current, frequency, or voltage based on user interface input to manipulate the micro-robot within a patient's body.
The core inventive aspects are the micro-robot architecture that combines an exterior helical ridge, a reservoir having teeth and threads, and magnetic material for external magnetic-stimulus manipulation, together with a controller architecture using electromagnetic coils and circuitry that modulates current, frequency, or voltage for manipulating the micro-robot within the patient's body.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Neurosurgical minimally invasive procedures, including actuation for therapy delivery and biopsy sampling/storage within a patient's body.
Imaging-guided closed-loop control using CT and MRI during manipulation to a target site.
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