Nanorobots can prevent deadly brain bleeding in humans: Here's how
An international team of researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the University of Edinburgh, has developed tiny robots that could potentially save lives by preventing severe brain hemorrhages. These magnetically-controlled devices are designed to deliver precise doses of clotting agents via the body's blood vessels. The technology is yet to be tested on humans at risk of stroke, but the team is confident that their design can effectively deliver controlled amounts of medication without any loss.
A breakthrough in medical technology
The nanobots, slightly larger than a virus, have demonstrated their potential in a test where billions of these microscopic structures were guided through an animal's body to safely neutralize a model aneurysm. Qi Zhou, the study's co-lead author and a computational biophysicist from the University of Edinburgh, stated that "Nanorobots are set to open new frontiers in medicine." He further emphasized that this technology could allow surgical repairs with fewer risks and target drugs with pinpoint accuracy.
Closer look at the nanobot design
Each nanobot, with an average diameter of 300 nanometers, is composed of a magnetite core carrying a clotting agent called thrombin. This core is encapsulated by a protective shell that melts at precisely 42.5 degrees Celsius (108.5 degrees Fahrenheit) — just above human body temperature. Under the guidance of a technician and using magnetic field, the iron-oxide nucleus navigates the nanoparticle through blood vessels mapped out by ultrasound.
Clotting process and safety measures
The nanobots are only subjected to a rapidly alternating magnetic field that melts their coating, once they are safely within the aneurysm. This initiates the clotting process and prevents the blood vessel from bursting. The research team conducted several trials to test the effectiveness of this innovation at clotting, melting points, resistance to degradation, and ultimately its ability to function safely within a body.
Promise in preventing brain aneurysms
Brain aneurysms, which affect around 3% of people worldwide, are often prevented from rupturing through surgical procedures. The use of nanobots as a form of endovascular plug could potentially eliminate the need for these invasive procedures and their associated risks. However, additional innovations will be necessary to ensure that the nanobots can move through the depths of the human body beyond where magnetic fields currently reach.
