Characterization of a mm-scale swimming microrobot for 3D manipulation

Microrobots have proven to be a promising approach for minimally invasive treatment in the biomedical field. The microdriller with wireless magnetic manipulation has great potential for vascular disease such as thrombosis. It is required to remotely navigate the microdriller in three-dimensional (3D) because the vascular network in a body is complicated and formed in 3D. In this study, the helical microdriller with different number of helix was fabricated using 3D printing and then a permanent magnet was inserted. Translational velocity of the microdriller was investigated, manipulating in the horizontal (XY) and vertical (XZ) axes for 3D manipulation. The developed microdriller was able to successfully overcome gravity, operate vertically and horizontally and horizontally. Translational velocity was inversely proportional to the number of helix. The results addressed that the microdriller can be manipulated in 3D, which shows the potential as a targeted thrombus treatment.