Field‐Free Region Scanning‐Based Magnetic Microcarrier Targeting in Multibifurcation Vessels

Abstract

Navigation of microcarriers in complex environments as a vascular network remains an open challenge due to limited solutions for effective targeting strategy. Simultaneous real‐time visualization and manipulation of microcarriers at any depth in the human body is far to be achieved even though one of each task has been successfully proven. Herein, a novel targeting strategy is proposed that employs field‐free region (FFR) scanning to guide microcarriers through multiple bifurcations within a predefined vessel network. The main challenge of this method lies on how, where, and when to activate FFR to steer a particle to a desired direction, regardless of its spatial feedback. To achieve it, first, a mathematical model of particle motion in a vessel network is developed to predict particle behaviors and positions. Subsequently, an optimization algorithm is formulated to place FFR well‐coordinated around each bifurcation at a designated moment. The established solution for targeting a magnetic microcarrier is preemptively evaluated through finite element simulations and then successfully implemented in in vitro multibranched vessels.

Keywords

• magnetic field‐free region
• magnetic microcarriers
• magnetic navigation
• targeted drug delivery
• vascular system