Researchers at CIC nanoGUNE in San Sebastián, Spain have developed a fast method to produce magnetic microcatheters that can be steered and propelled inside the body. Using Joule heating applied to template wires, the team created tubular devices with controllable dimensions and magnetization.
Three designs were demonstrated: a steerable guiding microcatheter with adjustable stiffness, an untethered tubular microrobot called TubeBot that moves with wave‑like crawling, and a hybrid combining guidance and propulsion. These devices can be fabricated quickly and in large numbers, making them suitable for clinical translation.
The work highlights how magnetic control enables precise navigation in delicate environments. Potential applications include reproductive medicine, where microcatheters could deliver gametes or drugs directly to target sites. The approach reduces reliance on invasive procedures and opens new possibilities for precision therapies.
Article from CIC nanoGUNE: Rapid Fabrication of Self-Propelled, Steerable Magnetic Microcatheters for Precision Medicine
Abstract in Advanced Materials: Rapid Fabrication of Self-Propelled and Steerable Magnetic Microcatheters for Precision Medicine
