Scientists in the UK are developing a type of tiny robot to treat life-threatening brain aneurysms.
Nanorobots are about 1/20 the size of human red blood cells. (Photo: University of Edinburgh).
The University of Edinburgh has created nanobots made from iron oxide, spherical in shape, measuring approximately 1/20 the size of human red blood cells, which can be remotely controlled to move deep into the human brain.
These nano-robots contain thrombin, an enzyme essential for blood clotting and inflammation.
In trials, hundreds of billions of nanobots were injected into arteries and guided to the aneurysm site using magnets and real-time ultrasound. Upon arrival, the nanobots were heated to 43 degrees Celsius using an alternating magnetic field to dissolve their protective coating and release the clotting medication precisely where needed.
Results showed that after the clotting process occurred, the aneurysm disappeared, leaving a healthy blood vessel behind.
Dr. Qi Zhou from the University of Edinburgh, co-leader of the research team, stated: “Nanorobots will open new frontiers in medicine, allowing for surgeries with less risk compared to conventional treatment methods and delivering drugs to hard-to-reach parts of the body with high precision. This is an important step towards bringing these technologies closer to treating serious medical conditions in clinical settings.”
The nanobots are currently only being tested on animals and in laboratory settings, and scientists hope to move to human trials soon.
