Design of a Robotized Magnetic Platform for Targeted Drug Delivery in the Cochlea - 04/02/23
Abstract |
Inner ear disorders' treatment remains challenging due to anatomical barriers. Robotic assistance seems to be a promising approach to enhance inner ear treatments and, more particularly, lead to effective targeted drug delivery into the human cochlea. In this paper we present a combination of a micro-macro system that was designed and realized in order to efficiently control the navigation of magnetic nanoparticles in an open-loop scheme throughout the cochlea, considering that the magnetic particles cannot be located in real time.
In order to respect the anatomical constraints, we established the characteristics that the new platform must present then proceeded to the design of the latter. The developed system is composed of a magnetic actuator that aims to guide nanoparticles into the cochlea. Mounted on a robotic manipulator, it ensures its positioning around the patient's head. The magnetic device integrates four parallelepiped-rectangle permanent magnets. Their arrangement in space, position and orientation, allows the creation of an area of convergence of magnetic forces where nanoparticles can be pushed/pulled to. To ensure the reachability of the desired orientations and positions, a 3 DOF robot based on a Remote Centre of Motion (RCM) mechanism was developed. It features three concurrent rotational joints that generate a spherical workspace around the head. The control of the latter is based on kinematic models.
A prototype of this platform was realized to validate the actuation process. Both magnetic actuator and robotic manipulator were realized using an additive manufacturing approach. We also designed a virtual human head with a life-size cochlea inside. A laser was mounted on the end effector to track the positioning of the actuator. This permitted to experimentally prove the capacity of the robotic system to reach the desired positions and orientations in accordance with the medical needs.
This promising robotic approach, makes it possible to overcome anatomical barriers and steer magnetic nanoparticles to a targeted location in the inner ear and, more precisely, inside the cochlea.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Graphical abstract |
Highlights |
• | The malfunction of the inner ear (the cochlea) can lead to severe hearing loss. |
• | Nanoparticles are effective for an accurate dosage and controlled drug delivery. |
• | Magnetic actuation allows steering particles in the cochlea using push/pull forces. |
• | Compact serial manipulator to position magnetic actuator around the patient's head. |
• | Robotic plateform for targeted inner ear drug delivery using magnetic nanoparticles. |
Keywords : Inner ear drug delivery, Cochlea, Medical robotics, Serial robot, RCM Mechanisms, Magnetic actuator, Microrobot
Plan
Vol 44 - N° 1
Article 100728- février 2023 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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