Nano/Microrobots Line Up for Gastrointestinal Tract Diseases: Targeted Delivery, Therapy, and Prevention

Lukáš Děkanovský, Jinhua Li, Huaijuan Zhou, Zdenek Sofer and Bahareh Khezri
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Lukáš Děkanovský: Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 16628 Prague, Czech Republic
Jinhua Li: Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 16628 Prague, Czech Republic
Huaijuan Zhou: Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 16628 Prague, Czech Republic
Zdenek Sofer: Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 16628 Prague, Czech Republic
Bahareh Khezri: Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 16628 Prague, Czech Republic

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 2, 1-21

Abstract: Nano/microrobots (NMRs) are tiny devices that can convert energy into motion and operate at nano/microscales.54 Especially in biomedical research, NMRs have received much attention over the past twenty years because of their excellent capabilities and great potential in various applications, including on-demand drug delivery, gene and cell transport, and precise microsurgery. Reports published in recent years show that synthetic nano/microrobots have promising potential to function in the gastrointestinal (GI) region, particularly in terms of drug delivery. These tiny robots were able to be designed in such a way that they propel in their surroundings (biological media) with high speed, load cargo (drug) efficiently, transport it safely, and release upon request successfully. Their propulsion, retention, distribution, and toxicity in the GI tract of mice has been evaluated. The results envisage that such nano/microrobots can be further modified and developed as a new-generation treatment of GI tract diseases. In this minireview, we focus on the functionality of micro/nanorobots as a biomedical treatment system for stomach/intestinal diseases. We review the research progress from the first in vivo report in December 2014 to the latest in August 2021. Then, we discuss the treatment difficulties and challenges in vivo application (in general) and possible future development routes.

Keywords: nano/microrobots; biomedical applications; imaging; stomach diseases; micromotors; microswimmers; drug delivery (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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