HKUST Unveils World’s Smallest Multifunctional Biomedical Robot for Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment

Researchers from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have successfully developed the world’s smallest multifunctional biomedical robot, making it 60% smaller than current models. This groundbreaking robot can perform key tasks such as imaging, high-precision motion, sampling, drug delivery, and laser ablation. Its impressive capabilities include competitive imaging performance and a tenfold improvement in obstacle detection, setting the stage for robotic applications in narrow and challenging areas of the human body, such as the lung’s end bronchi and the oviducts. The study was recently published in Nature Communications.

Measuring just 0.95 mm in diameter—60% smaller than existing endoscopic robots—this robot achieves an “impossible trinity” by integrating imaging, precision motion, and multifunctional capabilities in one compact design. It extends obstacle detection distance to ~9.4 mm, a tenfold improvement over theoretical limits. Additionally, the robot boasts remarkable motion precision (less than 30 μm) and enhances the imaging region by ~25 times its inherent view.

Developed by Professor Shen Yajing, Associate Professor at the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering (ECE), and his team, the robot’s miniaturization is made possible by four key components: an optical fiber array for capturing in-body images, a custom tool for precise treatment delivery, a hollow skeleton to hold the fibers and tools, and a functionalized skin that allows for precise robot control. The hollow skeleton is 3D-printed on a microscale, while the functionalized skin is applied using a magnetic spray technique, helping the robot stay compact and glide smoothly during surgery. A gel-like outer layer further reduces friction. The team has already tested the robot in vitro using bronchial models and ex-vivo porcine lungs, demonstrating its ability to navigate tight spaces while capturing clear images and performing treatments in difficult areas.

Professor Shen highlighted the robot’s potential for clinical applications: “Small-scale continuum robots show great promise in interventional diagnosis and treatment, but existing models often struggle to combine compactness, precise navigation, and functional treatment. Our research offers a significant solution for early diagnosis and therapy in hard-to-reach areas of the body. With further technological developments, we believe the fiberscopic robot will significantly contribute to human health in the near future.”

Thanks to their ability to navigate narrow cavities, small continuum robots have already been used in several medical applications, including heart disease treatments with stents and electrophysiology catheters, as well as single-port laparoscopic repairs of gastric and duodenal ulcers. The team plans to further enhance the robot’s design for practical clinical settings. “We aim to optimize the robot’s design and control, focusing on safety and reliability in interventional surgeries. We are excited to conduct in vivo trials to demonstrate its potential in clinical environments,” said Dr. Zhang Tieshan, postdoctoral fellow at HKUST and co-first author of the study, alongside Dr. Li Gen.