Advances in Magnetically Controlled Medical Robotics: A Review of Actuation Systems, Continuum Designs, and Clinical Prospects for Minimally Invasive Therapies

Magnetically controlled micro-robots hold immense potential for revolutionizing advanced medical applications, garnering significant research interest. This potential is underscored by the dual focus on magnetic control systems—both as driving forces and manipulation field sources—and magnetic conti...

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Main Authors: Tiantian Kong, Qitong Zheng, Jiarong Sun, Chunxiao Wang, Huibin Liu, Zhizheng Gao, Zezheng Qiao, Wenguang Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Micromachines
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/5/561
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author Tiantian Kong
Qitong Zheng
Jiarong Sun
Chunxiao Wang
Huibin Liu
Zhizheng Gao
Zezheng Qiao
Wenguang Yang
author_facet Tiantian Kong
Qitong Zheng
Jiarong Sun
Chunxiao Wang
Huibin Liu
Zhizheng Gao
Zezheng Qiao
Wenguang Yang
author_sort Tiantian Kong
collection DOAJ
description Magnetically controlled micro-robots hold immense potential for revolutionizing advanced medical applications, garnering significant research interest. This potential is underscored by the dual focus on magnetic control systems—both as driving forces and manipulation field sources—and magnetic continuums that have demonstrated clinical therapeutic efficacy. This comprehensive review delves into the actuation characteristics of permanent magnet systems, electromagnetic systems, and commercially available magnetic control systems. It also explores innovative designs of magnetic wires and tubes serving as continuum structures and investigates the variable stiffness properties of magnetic continua, informed by material and structural attributes. Furthermore, the discussion extends to their prospective roles and future applications within the medical realm. The objective is to elucidate emerging trends in the study of magnetic control systems and magnetic continua, marked by an expanding operational scope and enhanced precision in manipulation. By aligning these trends with clinical challenges and requirements, this review seeks to refine research trajectories, expedite practical implementations, and ultimately advocate for minimally invasive therapies. These therapies, leveraging magnetic control systems and magnetic continuums as cutting-edge treatment modalities, promise transformative impacts on the future of healthcare.
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institution OA Journals
issn 2072-666X
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Micromachines
spelling doaj-art-6c68a5fdabf54fc080d3f948effdb82e2025-08-20T02:33:47ZengMDPI AGMicromachines2072-666X2025-05-0116556110.3390/mi16050561Advances in Magnetically Controlled Medical Robotics: A Review of Actuation Systems, Continuum Designs, and Clinical Prospects for Minimally Invasive TherapiesTiantian Kong0Qitong Zheng1Jiarong Sun2Chunxiao Wang3Huibin Liu4Zhizheng Gao5Zezheng Qiao6Wenguang Yang7Shandong City Service Institute, Yantai 264005, ChinaShandong City Service Institute, Yantai 264005, ChinaShandong City Service Institute, Yantai 264005, ChinaShandong City Service Institute, Yantai 264005, ChinaSchool of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, ChinaSchool of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, ChinaSchool of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, ChinaSchool of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, ChinaMagnetically controlled micro-robots hold immense potential for revolutionizing advanced medical applications, garnering significant research interest. This potential is underscored by the dual focus on magnetic control systems—both as driving forces and manipulation field sources—and magnetic continuums that have demonstrated clinical therapeutic efficacy. This comprehensive review delves into the actuation characteristics of permanent magnet systems, electromagnetic systems, and commercially available magnetic control systems. It also explores innovative designs of magnetic wires and tubes serving as continuum structures and investigates the variable stiffness properties of magnetic continua, informed by material and structural attributes. Furthermore, the discussion extends to their prospective roles and future applications within the medical realm. The objective is to elucidate emerging trends in the study of magnetic control systems and magnetic continua, marked by an expanding operational scope and enhanced precision in manipulation. By aligning these trends with clinical challenges and requirements, this review seeks to refine research trajectories, expedite practical implementations, and ultimately advocate for minimally invasive therapies. These therapies, leveraging magnetic control systems and magnetic continuums as cutting-edge treatment modalities, promise transformative impacts on the future of healthcare.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/5/561magnetron systemmagnetic continuumvariable stiffnesslow melting point alloysmedical applications
spellingShingle Tiantian Kong
Qitong Zheng
Jiarong Sun
Chunxiao Wang
Huibin Liu
Zhizheng Gao
Zezheng Qiao
Wenguang Yang
Advances in Magnetically Controlled Medical Robotics: A Review of Actuation Systems, Continuum Designs, and Clinical Prospects for Minimally Invasive Therapies
Micromachines
magnetron system
magnetic continuum
variable stiffness
low melting point alloys
medical applications
title Advances in Magnetically Controlled Medical Robotics: A Review of Actuation Systems, Continuum Designs, and Clinical Prospects for Minimally Invasive Therapies
title_full Advances in Magnetically Controlled Medical Robotics: A Review of Actuation Systems, Continuum Designs, and Clinical Prospects for Minimally Invasive Therapies
title_fullStr Advances in Magnetically Controlled Medical Robotics: A Review of Actuation Systems, Continuum Designs, and Clinical Prospects for Minimally Invasive Therapies
title_full_unstemmed Advances in Magnetically Controlled Medical Robotics: A Review of Actuation Systems, Continuum Designs, and Clinical Prospects for Minimally Invasive Therapies
title_short Advances in Magnetically Controlled Medical Robotics: A Review of Actuation Systems, Continuum Designs, and Clinical Prospects for Minimally Invasive Therapies
title_sort advances in magnetically controlled medical robotics a review of actuation systems continuum designs and clinical prospects for minimally invasive therapies
topic magnetron system
magnetic continuum
variable stiffness
low melting point alloys
medical applications
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/5/561
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