Affiliation:
1. School of Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
2. Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen 518172, China
Abstract
During recent years, microrobots have drawn extensive attention owing to their good controllability and great potential in biomedicine. Powered by external physical fields or chemical reactions, these untethered microdevices are promising candidates for in vivo complex tasks, such as targeted delivery, imaging and sensing, tissue engineering, hyperthermia, and assisted fertilization, among others. However, in clinical use, the biodegradability of microrobots is significant for avoiding toxic residue in the human body. The selection of biodegradable materials and the corresponding in vivo environment needed for degradation are increasingly receiving attention in this regard. This review aims at analyzing different types of biodegradable microrobots by critically discussing their advantages and limitations. The chemical degradation mechanisms behind biodegradable microrobots and their typical applications are also thoroughly investigated. Furthermore, we examine their feasibility and deal with the in vivo suitability of different biodegradable microrobots in terms of their degradation mechanisms; pathological environments; and corresponding biomedical applications, especially targeted delivery. Ultimately, we highlight the prevailing obstacles and perspective solutions, ranging from their manufacturing methods, control of movement, and degradation rate to insufficient and limited in vivo tests, that could be of benefit to forthcoming clinical applications.
Funder
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Shenzhen Science and Technology Program
Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation
CUHK-Shenzhen
Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society
Subject
General Materials Science,General Chemical Engineering
Cited by
7 articles.
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