abstract

Magnetic fields offer a powerful, wireless method for controlling miniature robotic systems inside
the human body—without the need for physical tethers, onboard batteries, or invasive hardware.
This capability enables precise navigation, targeted therapy, and minimally invasive interventions
that are not possible with conventional tools. In this talk, I will present our recent advances in
magnetically actuated robotic systems across multiple scales. I will begin with ferrofluid-based
microrobots that can be remotely guided, assembled, and dynamically reconfigured to interact with
soft biological tissues. These systems demonstrate how programmable magnetic actuation allows
adaptive, shape-changing robotic behavior within complex and confined biological environments.
Building on these foundational principles, I will then introduce our semi-autonomous magnetic
robotic platform developed to assist in Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD), a minimally
invasive procedure used to remove large gastrointestinal tumors. In this system, an externally
controlled magnet interacts with a miniaturized internal magnetic anchor to provide dynamic tissue
retraction—functioning as an intelligent second hand for the physician. Together, these efforts
present a unified and scalable framework for magnetic control in medicine, bridging microscale
robotic systems and clinically deployable surgical platforms. I will conclude by discussing the
translational pathway and the broader potential of magnetic robotics to transform minimally
invasive care.