Magnetic Microrobot Motion Control for Navigation in Blood and Soft Tissue Phantoms for Targeted Cancer Therapy

BSc assignment

This project focuses on the controlled navigation of a magnetic microrobot designed for targeted cancer therapy. The microrobot is intended to swim through a simulated vascular network (blood phantom) and transition into soft tissue (soft tissue phantom) to reach a tumour-like target. The objective is to develop and optimize motion control strategies that enable precise movement under external magnetic fields, simulating real physiological conditions.

https://newatlas.com/medical/millirobots-blood-clots/

Key Tasks:

  1. Phantom Design & Setup: Develop a combined blood and soft tissue phantom that mimics human vascular and tumour environments.
  2. Microrobot Motion Analysis: Study the swimming behaviour of a magnetic microrobot in different media (non-Newtonian and viscoelastic), optimizing control parameters for efficient movement.
  3. Magnetic Actuation & Control: Implement and test motion control strategies using rotating and gradient magnetic fields to guide the microrobot toward a tumour-like target.
  4. Trajectory Optimization: Investigate how to transition from swimming in a fluidic environment to moving through soft tissue while maintaining precise control.
  5. Experimental Validation: Conduct tests to evaluate the accuracy, speed, and stability of the microrobot’s movement, comparing results to theoretical predictions.

Expected Outcome:
A validated motion control strategy for magnetic microrobots capable of navigating between a blood-like medium and soft tissue phantom, with demonstrated precision in reaching a predefined tumour-like target.