Scientists from Hong Kong and Xi’an Jiaotong University have developed a miniature magnetic soft robot—about the size of a grain of rice—that may eliminate the need for traditional kidney stone surgeries.
Built from hydrogel embedded with magnetic particles, the robot is controlled by external magnetic fields. It moves through the urinary tract in a leech-like motion, crawling and gripping surfaces with precision. Once at the site of a kidney stone, it can either mechanically break the stone apart or deliver medication directly to speed up treatment.
Current kidney stone procedures often rely on invasive surgery or shockwave therapy, which can cause significant pain, tissue damage, and long recovery times. This soft robotic approach offers a non-invasive, highly targeted alternative, potentially making treatment safer and more comfortable for patients.
Although the technology remains in the experimental stage, early results highlight its potential to transform care for millions worldwide who suffer from kidney stones. If successful in human trials, the robot could drastically reduce the need for cutting or blasting stones, replacing them with a method that is gentler, more efficient, and minimally invasive.
For patients, this could mean less pain, quicker recovery, and greater hope in the fight against a condition that affects up to 1 in 10 people globally.
