Microrobotic Catheterization of the Ophthalmic Artery for Targeted Treatment of Retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma is the most common and intrusive intraocular cancer in children. Intra‐arterial chemotherapy is an effective method of delivering concentrated doses of cancer‐killing medicine to the affected area of the eye. The conventional clinical procedure entails positioning the microcatheter tip at the ostium of the ophthalmic artery (OA), as catheterizing the OA carries a high risk of serious complications. Here we present a microrobotic platform that allows teleoperated and autonomous navigation of flow‐driven microcatheters into the OA for superselective infusion of chemotherapy. The platform integrates real‐time imaging, closed‐loop control, and miniaturized instrumentation to achieve submillimeter precision in catheter placement. Computational fluid dynamics models of pediatric vascular anatomy inform the development of effective navigation strategies. Extensive benchtop validations with patient‐derived biomimetic phantoms demonstrate the versatility and clinical relevance of the platform. The proposed microrobotic approach has the potential to improve treatment outcomes and broaden the accessibility of state‐of‐the‐art therapies for children in developing countries suffering from a life‐threatening condition.