A micro-robot that treats sinusitis caused by inflammation in the nose has been developed without surgery. It has been proven in animal testing to have the ability to penetrate pus and eliminate bacteria. As research advances, it is expected to be used for treating infections in various areas such as the bladder and intestines.
A joint research team from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and other institutions announced on the 26th that they developed a technology to insert a micro-robot, which is a fraction of the thickness of human hair, into the nasal cavity to precisely eliminate bacterial infections deep within the mucosa. The research results were published in the international journal Science Robotics.
Allergic rhinitis is a condition characterized by inflammation in the nasal mucosa in response to specific substances. Major symptoms include runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing; if it worsens, bacteria may proliferate in the sinuses leading to sinusitis, or sinus infection. Researchers report that this micro-robot technology, which acts selectively only on the infection site, could reduce dependence on antibiotics or medications.
The micro-robot is made by adding copper to magnetic particles, which can be considered ultra-small magnets, and is inserted into the nose through a thin tube (catheter). Just as iron filings are moved by a magnet below a piece of paper, a magnetic field applied from outside the body can move the micro-robot with magnetic particles to the affected area.
By changing the magnetic field externally, the magnetic particles rotate and vibrate, or generate heat from the light emitted by optical fibers. In this way, the robot can penetrate viscous tissues like pus and reach the infected area to break the bacterial cell walls. Copper releases reactive oxygen species to eliminate bacteria. Once treatment is complete, the robot is designed to be naturally expelled from the body along with the flow of mucus.
The research team confirmed the effectiveness of the micro-robot treatment method in animal experiments involving pigs and rabbits. They explained that bacterial elimination was successful in the pigs' sinuses and that infections were treated in the rabbits without tissue damage.
Zhang Li, a professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, noted, "The micro-robot treatment platform has a significant advantage in treating infections without the need for surgery or the use of drugs, thus avoiding concerns about resistance," adding, "It could complement the limitations of existing antibiotic-centered treatment methods."
The micro-robot treatment method that acts only on the infected area has garnered attention as a targeted therapy with fewer side effects and concerns about drug resistance compared to traditional treatments that disseminate medication throughout the body. The scientific community predicts that this technology could eventually be used to treat various infections in areas such as the bladder, intestines, and urogenital system. In fact, research teams from around the world, including China, Switzerland, the United States, and the United Kingdom, are also developing micro-robots that can move freely in blood vessels.
Sylvain Martel, a professor at the Nano-Robotics Research Institute at École Polytechnique de Montréal in Canada, evaluated, "This technology is like a rocket controlled by a magnet," adding, "The biggest advantage of the micro-robot is that it acts precisely only where it is needed." He projected that it would take 5 to 10 years for actual commercialization, considering regulatory and manufacturing processes.
Another advantage of this treatment method is that after the robot completes the infection treatment, it is naturally expelled from the body during the process of blowing the nose or sneezing. This reduces the burden on patients as there is no need for additional surgery or treatment. However, concerns about potential side effects if some of the robots remain inside the body and the public's discomfort with the concept of inserting robots into the body remain as future challenges.
Andrea Soltoggio, a professor at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom, said, "Some people may initially feel discomfort about the robot's insertion, but because it is a method of treating the infection site locally, it may actually be simpler and more effective than medication."
References
Science Robotics (2025), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/scirobotics.adt0720