“This new technology offers a potentially less invasive alternative to the traditional surgical methods currently used to clear tubal obstructions, which often involve the use of conventional catheters and guidewires,” said author Haifeng Xu.

The microrobot is made from nonmagnetic photosensitive resin, coated with a thin iron layer to give it magnetic properties. By applying an external magnetic field, the robot rotates, generating translational motion that enables it to navigate through a glass channel simulating a fallopian tube.

The robot successfully clears a cell cluster obstruction placed in the channel, mimicking a typical blockage in the female reproductive system. This magnetic control provides precise navigation through the delicate and narrow structures of the fallopian tube.