CUHK Develops Microrobot for Treating Otitis Media

Middle ear effusion in children can lead to Otitis Media. Some patients need to insert a middle ear catheter to drain the effusion. However, when the catheter is placed in the eardrum for a prolonged period, the secretions in the ear will eventually accumulate a bacterial film around it, which can become a cause of repeated infections. An interdisciplinary research team at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has developed a “magnetically controlled spiral microrobot” system, which can quickly and effectively remove the bacterial membrane of the ear canal catheter to effectively prevent the infection from getting worse. Dr. Chang Wai-tsz, Assistant Professor of the Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, CUHK, pointed out that patients with otitis media who have been implanted with catheters need to use ear drops containing antibiotics for a long time to inhibit the growth of bacterial membranes. Sooner or later, that may develop bacterial resistance against further ear drop applications, and the situation will get worse and worse. In the worst case, if the biofilm happens to block the catheter, the patient will need to undergo anaesthesia surgery to remove or replace the catheter. In general, the catheter needs to be replaced frequently by way of surgery, which increases the pain of the patient and brings about the burden of repeated medical expenses. Zhang Li, Professor of the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering at CUHK, points out in this demonstration that the technology originates from the movement simulation of Escherichia coli flagella, which is controlled by a magnetron to scrape the bacterial membrane in the middle ear duct. (Sung Pi-lung/The Epoch Times) To alleviate those worries, the current development by her team can be a much-welcomed proposition. In normal cases, the doctor will first use an endoscope and a catheter to insert the “spiral-shaped micro-robot” into the middle ear catheter and then use a manipulator to assist. With the help of the magnetron to make the micro-robot rotate and move rapidly to scrape the ear canal catheter to remove the biofilm accumulated there and subsequently kill it via the generation of active oxidizing substances. The entire process takes about 10 to 20 minutes. Zhang Li, Professor of the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering at CUHK, said that the system was inspired by the flagella of Escherichia coli that move at high speed in a spiral motion. The team studied how a magnetic field can control their movement and extend its applications in the biomedical field. He pointed out that it still needs to be verified and improved, so currently, there is no full cost estimate. The team has conducted experiments on human specimens with satisfactory results, and the relevant results have been published in the international academic journal “Science Advances.” The “Magnetron Controlled Spiral Micro Robot” is just the size of a grain of dust, making for easy control and disposal. (Sung Pi-lung/The Epoch Times) CUHK Emeritus Chair Professor Joseph Sung Jao-yiu, who participated in this study, said that the problem of bacterial membrane infection has existed for a long time. However, in the past few decades, there has been no drug that was proven to be effective in removing bacteria from the bacterial membrane. Therefore, this research is an important breakthrough. Sung continued to point out that this innovative technology will not only help to remove the bacterial membrane of the middle ear duct but also has the potential to be applied to other medical devices placed inside the body that may cause the same problem of bacterial membrane infection. Follow Follow

CUHK Develops Microrobot for Treating Otitis Media

Middle ear effusion in children can lead to Otitis Media. Some patients need to insert a middle ear catheter to drain the effusion. However, when the catheter is placed in the eardrum for a prolonged period, the secretions in the ear will eventually accumulate a bacterial film around it, which can become a cause of repeated infections. An interdisciplinary research team at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has developed a “magnetically controlled spiral microrobot” system, which can quickly and effectively remove the bacterial membrane of the ear canal catheter to effectively prevent the infection from getting worse.

Dr. Chang Wai-tsz, Assistant Professor of the Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, CUHK, pointed out that patients with otitis media who have been implanted with catheters need to use ear drops containing antibiotics for a long time to inhibit the growth of bacterial membranes. Sooner or later, that may develop bacterial resistance against further ear drop applications, and the situation will get worse and worse. In the worst case, if the biofilm happens to block the catheter, the patient will need to undergo anaesthesia surgery to remove or replace the catheter. In general, the catheter needs to be replaced frequently by way of surgery, which increases the pain of the patient and brings about the burden of repeated medical expenses.

Epoch Times Photo
Zhang Li, Professor of the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering at CUHK, points out in this demonstration that the technology originates from the movement simulation of Escherichia coli flagella, which is controlled by a magnetron to scrape the bacterial membrane in the middle ear duct. (Sung Pi-lung/The Epoch Times)

To alleviate those worries, the current development by her team can be a much-welcomed proposition. In normal cases, the doctor will first use an endoscope and a catheter to insert the “spiral-shaped micro-robot” into the middle ear catheter and then use a manipulator to assist. With the help of the magnetron to make the micro-robot rotate and move rapidly to scrape the ear canal catheter to remove the biofilm accumulated there and subsequently kill it via the generation of active oxidizing substances. The entire process takes about 10 to 20 minutes.

Zhang Li, Professor of the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering at CUHK, said that the system was inspired by the flagella of Escherichia coli that move at high speed in a spiral motion. The team studied how a magnetic field can control their movement and extend its applications in the biomedical field. He pointed out that it still needs to be verified and improved, so currently, there is no full cost estimate. The team has conducted experiments on human specimens with satisfactory results, and the relevant results have been published in the international academic journal “Science Advances.”

Epoch Times Photo
The “Magnetron Controlled Spiral Micro Robot” is just the size of a grain of dust, making for easy control and disposal. (Sung Pi-lung/The Epoch Times)

CUHK Emeritus Chair Professor Joseph Sung Jao-yiu, who participated in this study, said that the problem of bacterial membrane infection has existed for a long time. However, in the past few decades, there has been no drug that was proven to be effective in removing bacteria from the bacterial membrane. Therefore, this research is an important breakthrough. Sung continued to point out that this innovative technology will not only help to remove the bacterial membrane of the middle ear duct but also has the potential to be applied to other medical devices placed inside the body that may cause the same problem of bacterial membrane infection.