Development of novel microtubular ionic actuators for endovascular navigation
Minimally invasive interventional surgery techniques using guidewire-based catheters are widely adopted to treat vascular diseases. However, commonly used interventional catheters lack active guidance. The use of guidewires is associated with risks, including increased exposure to X-rays and potential vascular damage during withdrawal from complex vessels. Herein, we developed sub-millimeter microtubular ionic actuators (0.6–0.8 mm outer diameter) integrated into steerable interventional catheters. These actuators can generate large deformations (>10 mm) under 7 V direct current due to enhanced ion migration, enabling precise navigation without the need for guidewires. The designed catheters achieved active bending and accurate positioning in complex arterial vascular branches within a human model. They were also able to navigate within different arterial locations (e.g., the innominate, subclavian, and carotid arteries) in pigs without the use of guidewires, and even access the ventricle and deliver contrast medium, indicating their great potential for future endovascular therapy.
Authors
- Yuze Ye
- Qingsong He (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2769-9312)
- Fengjiang Zhan
- Yefu Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3112-2791)
- Weixiang Gao
- Jianfeng Zhao
- Yang Gu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8572-2907)
- Qiyun Zhong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2179-0884)
- Chenchu Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3433-598X)
- Xin Shen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9676-8206)
- Ying Hu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9711-6047)
- Longfei Chang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4275-8568)
- Dong Qing Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0623-1515)
- Jinjun Duan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0672-614X)
- Yong Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1183-5359)
- Siyuan Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4497-7847)
- Wei Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1960-0992)
- Tao Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4765-9377)
- Xiaofang Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2023-9890)
- Wenqi Liu
- Yunfei Han
- Z. L. Lv
- Xiaoqing Lu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7354-1214)
Institutions
- University of Science and Technology of China (CN)
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (CN)
- Hefei University of Technology (CN)
- Xuzhou Medical College (CN)
- Huaian First People’s Hospital (CN)
- Second People’s Hospital of Huai’an (CN)
- Genesis Medical Center (US)
- Jiangsu Province Hospital (CN)
- Zhejiang University (CN)
- Nanjing Medical University (CN)
- Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Bio-Design and Manufacturing
- Published
- 2025-10-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1631/bdm.2500183
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Dielectric materials and actuators
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.67