BLOCKED fallopian tubes, a significant cause of tubal factor infertility, have been effectively addressed using a newly developed magnetically driven robotic microscrew. This microscale device demonstrates exceptional potential for recanalising fallopian tube obstructions by employing a helical rotating mechanism to clear blockages in small lumens.
Tubal obstruction accounts for a substantial proportion of female infertility, typically caused by fibroids, endometriosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease. Current methods, which rely on conventional catheters and guidewires, are limited in their ability to treat distal obstructions due to size and steerability constraints. This study introduces a microscale robotic screw fabricated via high-resolution 3D microfabrication technology, specifically designed to navigate and clear blockages in narrow and delicate structures like fallopian tubes. The device’s propulsion is driven by an external magnetic field, allowing precise modulation of its speed and direction.
To evaluate its effectiveness, the robotic microscrew was tested in a fallopian tube-mimicking glass channel blocked with cellular material representing typical obstructions. Under a rotating magnetic field, the device demonstrated helical propulsion and mechanical drilling capabilities, achieving a velocity of 1.5 mm/s. Its ability to generate friction forces enabled efficient penetration of the blockage, while a vortex flow created during operation transported debris to the rear of the microrobot. Within 18 seconds, the microrobot significantly reduced the blockage area, confirming its effectiveness in clearing obstructions in small lumens. Hydrodynamic simulations further highlighted its superior propulsion and drilling efficiency compared to alternative designs.
This study presents a promising advance in minimally invasive approaches for treating tubal factor infertility. The microscale robotic screw offers a precise, efficient, and potentially safer alternative to conventional methods, particularly for addressing distal obstructions. Future research should explore its integration into clinical practice, focusing on in vivo testing, long-term safety, and potential applications in other narrow luminal structures. This innovation heralds a significant step towards improving fertility treatments and advancing biomedical engineering solutions for reproductive health.
Abigail Craig, EMJ
Reference
Liu X et al. Magnetically-driven robotic microscrew for the oviduct recanalization. AIP Adv. 2024;12(14): 5317.
