ETH Zurich Stroke Microrobots Offer Targeted Clot Treatment Breakthrough
ETH Zurich has developed a promising stroke microrobot therapy that could change emergency care. These tiny devices swim through blood vessels to reach dangerous clots. As a result, doctors may soon treat strokes more precisely. The robots are not independent machines. Instead, they are tiny spherical beads filled with medicine and iron nanoparticles. Doctors guide them using magnetic fields. According to reports from Popular Science and SWI swissinfo, each bead measures less than two millimeters wide. Despite their size, they carry powerful clot-dissolving drugs.
How the Technology Works
Doctors steer the beads directly to blocked vessels. Once they reach the clot, they release medication exactly where needed. Therefore, the treatment reduces damage to healthy tissue.
Traditional therapies spread drugs throughout the body. However, this targeted method lowers the risk of side effects. In addition, it may improve recovery time.
Researchers have already tested the microrobots in pigs and sheep. The results look encouraging. After delivering the medicine, the beads dissolve safely inside the body. This approach could make stroke care faster and safer for everyone. However, scientists must complete human clinical trials first. Until then, hospitals cannot adopt the treatment widely. Still, the breakthrough signals real progress. Stroke microrobot therapy may soon offer a smarter way to fight one of the world’s leading health threats.
