From Biohybrid Actuators To Smart Manufacturing: Advancing Microrobots for Minimally Invasive Medicine
摘要
Microrobotic systems are emerging as transformative technology for minimally invasive medicine, driven by innovations in actuation mechanisms, advanced fabrication paradigms, and multifunctional system integration. This comprehensive review analyzes the evolution of microrobotic technologies through three critical dimensions: (1) actuation modalities, including magnetic, optical, acoustic, chemical, and biological actuation, with a focus on the synergistic advantages of hybrid actuation strategies in complex internal physiological environments; (2) Fabrication methods cover technologies such as photolithography, microinjection molding, self-assembly, and 3D printing, emphasizing innovative strategies involving multi-technology integration and collaborative manufacturing of bio/non-bio hybrid materials; (3) Internal physiological applications involve disease diagnosis, targeted drug delivery, minimally invasive surgery, tissue engineering, and cell manipulation, highlighting the broad prospects of microrobots in precision medicine. Despite remarkable progress, critical challenges remain, including low actuation efficiency, as seen in acoustic systems, limited biocompatibility, exemplified by the toxicity of hydrogen peroxide in chemical actuation, delayed clinical translation, and other related challenges that must be addressed to advance the field.