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Ultrasound trapping and navigation of microrobots in the mouse brain vasculature

Author

Listed:
  • Alexia Campo Fonseca

    (Acoustic Robotics Systems Lab)

  • Chaim Glück

    (University of Zurich
    Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich)

  • Jeanne Droux

    (Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich
    University Hospital and University of Zurich, and Zurich Neuroscience Center)

  • Yann Ferry

    (Acoustic Robotics Systems Lab)

  • Carole Frei

    (Acoustic Robotics Systems Lab)

  • Susanne Wegener

    (Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich
    University Hospital and University of Zurich, and Zurich Neuroscience Center)

  • Bruno Weber

    (University of Zurich
    Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich)

  • Mohamad El Amki

    (Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich
    University Hospital and University of Zurich, and Zurich Neuroscience Center)

  • Daniel Ahmed

    (Acoustic Robotics Systems Lab)

Abstract

The intricate and delicate anatomy of the brain poses significant challenges for the treatment of cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, precise local drug delivery in hard-to-reach brain regions remains an urgent medical need. Microrobots offer potential solutions; however, their functionality in the brain remains restricted by limited imaging capabilities and complications within blood vessels, such as high blood flows, osmotic pressures, and cellular responses. Here, we introduce ultrasound-activated microrobots for in vivo navigation in brain vasculature. Our microrobots consist of lipid-shelled microbubbles that autonomously aggregate and propel under ultrasound irradiation. We investigate their capacities in vitro within microfluidic-based vasculatures and in vivo within vessels of a living mouse brain. These microrobots self-assemble and execute upstream motion in brain vasculature, achieving velocities up to 1.5 µm/s and moving against blood flows of ~10 mm/s. This work represents a substantial advance towards the therapeutic application of microrobots within the complex brain vasculature.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexia Campo Fonseca & Chaim Glück & Jeanne Droux & Yann Ferry & Carole Frei & Susanne Wegener & Bruno Weber & Mohamad El Amki & Daniel Ahmed, 2023. "Ultrasound trapping and navigation of microrobots in the mouse brain vasculature," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-41557-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41557-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kai Melde & Andrew G. Mark & Tian Qiu & Peer Fischer, 2016. "Holograms for acoustics," Nature, Nature, vol. 537(7621), pages 518-522, September.
    2. Cornel Dillinger & Nitesh Nama & Daniel Ahmed, 2021. "Ultrasound-activated ciliary bands for microrobotic systems inspired by starfish," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Ye Yang & Yaozhang Yang & Dingyuan Liu & Yuanyuan Wang & Minqiao Lu & Qi Zhang & Jiqing Huang & Yongchuan Li & Teng Ma & Fei Yan & Hairong Zheng, 2023. "In-vivo programmable acoustic manipulation of genetically engineered bacteria," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
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