Cambridge, MA – Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a groundbreaking robotic thread designed to navigate the brain's intricate blood vessels to address clots and blockages. This innovative technology, which is thinner than a spaghetti noodle, aims to revolutionize the treatment of conditions like strokes and aneurysms by offering a significantly less invasive approach. The development promises a future with "fewer scalpels, less drilling, more precision," as highlighted in a recent social media post by Mario Nawfal.
The steerable robotic thread is controlled externally by magnetic fields, allowing physicians to guide it through narrow and winding pathways within the brain's vasculature. Its core is made from a nickel-titanium alloy, known as nitinol, which provides both flexibility and springiness, enabling it to retain its shape while navigating complex turns. A hydrogel coating further enhances its smooth passage by reducing friction against vessel walls.
This magnetically controlled system offers a significant advancement over traditional endovascular procedures, which often require surgeons to manually guide wires while being exposed to radiation. The MIT team has also developed a telerobotic system, allowing surgeons to potentially operate the device remotely using a modified joystick. This capability could extend critical "golden hour" treatment windows to patients in remote areas, improving accessibility to life-saving interventions.
Currently, the robotic thread has been successfully tested in life-sized silicone replicas of the brain's blood vessels, complete with simulated clots and aneurysms. Researchers envision the device could be used to deliver clot-reducing therapies directly to the affected area or even incorporate a laser to break up blockages. While not yet in clinical use, the ongoing research underscores its potential to transform neurovascular surgery by minimizing invasive procedures and enhancing precision.