Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Leendert-Jan W. Ligtenberg is pioneering the next generation of minimally invasive surgery through the development of wirelessly controlled magnetic microrobots. His research focuses on the actuation, navigation, and control of untethered magnetic robots (UMRs) within the complex, confined spaces of the human vasculature. A key contribution is the validation of these systems in clinically relevant, ex vivo settings—including a 2024 study demonstrating magnetically actuated intravascular robots in a clinical environment (18 citations). Ligtenberg has also advanced fundamental principles of propulsion, such as achieving helical motion at low Reynolds numbers with a near-zero angle of attack, enabling more stable and controllable swimming. His work directly addresses critical medical challenges, including wireless thrombus fragmentation for treating blood clots and the development of cytocompatible biohybrid microrobots inspired by sperm cells. By integrating X-ray-guided magnetic fields for real-time localization and control, Ligtenberg is bridging the gap between laboratory prototypes and practical neurosurgical and endovascular applications, offering a transformative path toward safer, more precise, and less invasive interventions.