Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42369335›Full record

ReviewNational science review2026

Deployment and clearance of microrobots for localized therapy: past, present and future.

Ben Wang, Kai Fung Chan, Philip Wai Yan Chiu, Joseph Jao Yiu Sung, Li Zhang

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in National science review, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Ben WangCollege of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7037-3660
Kai Fung ChanChow Yuk Ho Technology Centre for Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China.
Philip Wai Yan ChiuChow Yuk Ho Technology Centre for Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China.
Joseph Jao Yiu SungLee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371, Singapore.
Li ZhangChow Yuk Ho Technology Centre for Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Microrobots hold great promise for active and localized therapy by enabling precise navigation and intervention in areas inaccessible to conventional medical devices. However, clinical translation remains hindered by challenges such as navigating complex environments, achieving precise control under dynamic physiological conditions, and ensuring safe post-therapy clearance. This minireview encompasses recent advancements, including biohybrid microrobots that merge synthetic and biological components to improve biocompatibility and functionality, and catheter-assisted systems that integrate conventional medical tools with robotics for enhanced precision and adaptability. It also discusses strategies to tackle key challenges, such as propulsion mechanisms, closed-loop control, biodegradable designs, focusing on improving safety, reliability, and clinical applicability. By compiling these developments, this work outlines a roadmap toward autonomous, multifunctional microrobotic systems capable of navigating complex physiological environments and delivering targeted therapies with minimal invasiveness.

Indexed as

biohybriddegradationlocalized therapymagnetic actuationmicrorobotsswarm

Identifiers

PMID42369335
PMCPMC13309930

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.