New Scientist has a short but interesting video on an intraocular microrobot under development by the Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems of ETH Zurich. The robot is so small that it can be injected through a needle into the vitreous humour. After injection, motion is electro-magnetically controlled by an external system. One of the potential applications is retinal drug delivery in e.g. macular degeneration, where the robot could locally deliver the drug to affected areas of the retina. Prolonged treatment could be accomplished either by delivering a biodegradable capsule or just by leaving the robot in place where it can remain for several months. After finishing its duties, it can be removed by using a magnetic needle. Testing has been performed on cadaver pig eyes, with live animals to follow soon. Below is a video of a microrobot injected in a pig’s eye:
More at New Scientist: Drug-carrying robot roams through eye…