Seed-sized magnetic robot switches between five surgical tools in under one second

NTU Singapore researchers built a 4.4-mm soft magnetic surgical robot that can switch among five functions in under a second.

The device can cut tissue, deliver drugs, collect and store samples, and generate heat for magnetic hyperthermia.

Lab tests showed wireless magnetic control in soft-tissue models and low toxicity in cell studies.

The work points to a new class of multifunctional micro-robots for more precise minimally invasive treatment.