Magnetically actuated multimaterial fiberbot for precise minimally invasive knee laser surgery

Abstract

Conventional methods, such as open and arthroscopy-assisted surgery, still encounter challenges in terms of tool flexibility when addressing knee diseases in patients. Robotics has enhanced the precision and efficiency of numerous surgical procedures. However, there is still a lack of minimally invasive surgical tools capable of flexibly resecting knee lesions. Here, we present a flexible fiberbot that integrates steerable midinfrared laser ablation and active navigation functions. The fiberbot features an internal multicore structure for midinfrared laser delivery and an external magnetic elastomer, allowing precise control under an applied magnetic field. The fiberbot was demonstrated to perform precise navigation and steering in a constrained spherical model and an isolated pig knee joint. Moreover, the fiberbot was further demonstrated in steerable laser ablation for leg bones of rats in vivo. Given its compact design, safer actuation, and quicker manipulation, our fiberbot is expected to pave a promising avenue for future knee surgery.