Researchers at Concordia University have developed a robotic platform that could help surgeons in the future remove blood clots more safely and less invasively. The system combines soft microrobots with artificial intelligence and magnetic control technology to move precisely through complex blood vessels.
The technology is intended for treatments deep within the neurovascular system, where traditional catheter procedures carry risks, such as damage or perforation of fragile vessel walls.
Magnetic navigation
The core of the system consists of small, flexible robots made of a biocompatible rubber-like material that incorporates magnetic microparticles. This allows the robots to be controlled wirelessly using external magnetic fields.
The soft robots are attached to the tips of conventional catheters or surgical wires. Using a powerful permanent magnet mounted on a robotic arm with six axes of motion, researchers can precisely control the robot’s position and bending.
According to researcher Ramin Sedaghati, this form of magnetic control offers significant advantages for minimally invasive surgery. Traditional catheters are relatively stiff, which can pose risks when maneuvering in small or winding blood vessels. The soft robots move more flexibly in accordance with the body’s anatomy and can therefore potentially navigate more safely. The results of the research have been published in Smart Materials and Structures.
Improved accuracy with AI
A key component of the system is the use of artificial intelligence for real-time control and positioning of the robot. Unlike many existing magnetic robotic systems, which operate with open-loop control without continuous feedback, this platform continuously measures the robot’s position during the procedure.
The researchers developed several deep learning models for this purpose. One AI model predicts how the robot will respond to changing magnetic forces, gravity, and fluid flows such as blood flow. A second model analyzes images from high-speed cameras to determine the exact shape and position of the robot tip in real time.
Thanks to these closed-loop control systems, the robot can be automatically adjusted when external factors, such as fluid pressure or movements in the blood vessel, affect its position.
According to the researchers, the system reduced the number of corrections needed during navigation by up to 77 percent compared to conventional methods. It also required less manual control.
Movement patterns tested
To evaluate the technology, the research team developed transparent fluid channels that mimic conditions in human blood vessels. Among other things, they examined how accurately the robot could follow predetermined movement patterns under different magnetic conditions and varying fluid flows.
The results show that the closed AI-controlled system performed more stably and accurately than traditional control methods. Even under conditions simulating blood flow in the human body, the robot continued to maneuver with high precision. The researchers emphasize that the current study is still a proof-of-concept, but see clear potential for future applications in neurosurgery and interventional radiology.
According to the research team, the project demonstrates how materials science, robotics, and AI are increasingly converging in the development of new medical technologies. It is expected that such soft, magnetically controllable robots could contribute to safer treatments for conditions such as strokes or deep-seated blood clots in the future.
The research was led by PhD candidate Alireza Moezi in collaboration with researchers from the Department of Mechanical, Industrial, and Aerospace Engineering at Concordia University.
Magnetic microrobots
Last year, Swiss researchers also developed a microrobot capable of delivering drugs to specific locations in the body, such as blood clots, tumors, or infections. The technology is intended to contribute to safer and more effective treatment, as medications no longer need to be distributed throughout the entire body.
The spherical robot consists of a dissolvable gel capsule containing magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, allowing it to be controlled via external magnetic fields. Thanks to added tantalum nanoparticles, the robot also remains visible during X-ray imaging. Using a specially developed electromagnetic navigation system, the microrobot can maneuver through narrow blood vessels, even against the flow of blood.
