https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsb.2022.10.010
Attributed to the miniaturized body size and active mobility, micro- and nanomotors (MNMs) have demonstrated tremendous potential for medical applications. However, from bench to bedside, massive efforts are needed to address critical issues, such as cost-effective fabrication, on-demand integration of multiple functions, biocompatibility, biodegradability, controlled propulsion and in vivo navigation. The authors of this article summarize the advances of biomedical MNMs reported in the past two decades, with particular emphasis on the design, fabrication, propulsion, navigation, and the abilities of biological barriers penetration, biosensing, diagnosis, minimally invasive surgery and targeted cargo delivery. Future perspectives and challenges are discussed as well. This review can lay the foundation for the future direction of medical MNMs, pushing one step forward on the road to achieving practical theranostics using MNMs.
Keywords: Micro- and nanomotors, Function integration, Controlled propulsion, In vivo navigation, Biomedical applications, Minimally invasive microsurgery, Biosensing, Biological barrier penetration
Graphical Abstract: available at https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S221138352200435X-ga1_lrg.jpg
Medical micro- and nanomotors powered by different sources have demonstrated potential applications including biological barrier penetration, biosensing, diagnosis, minimally invasive microsurgery and targeted cargo delivery.
