Segmented Therapeutic Delivery via Acoustic Microbubble Relay

Conventional medical microcatheters, characterized by their stiff, continuous hollow tube design, encounter inevitable mechanical constraints when delivering therapeutic agents through tortuous, highly curved, and narrowing microvascular networks. To overcome this constraint, we introduce an acoustic microbubble‐powered segmented delivery system. This microdevice utilizes oscillating microbubbles confined within discrete 3D‐printed microchannels, interconnected via rotary microhinges. Under ultrasonic excitation, these series‐connected bubble units generate directional acoustic streaming, enabling the targeted delivery of diverse microcargos. Tilted bubble arrays under ultrasound produce asymmetric vortices, breaking flow symmetry and establishing net streamlines that drive unidirectional movement across open channels. Comprehensive experimental and theoretical analyses reveal frequency‐dependent flow regimes, with a resonant peak at 102 kHz achieving delivery velocities up to 630 nL/min at 40 V pp . Geometric optimization reveals a linear correlation among delivery efficiency, acoustic voltage, and bubble quantity and identifies an optimal microchannel length that enhances performance by minimizing vortex interference. Critically, the system enables segmented acoustic delivery around sharp bends (>90°), maintaining hydrodynamic continuity through modular units connected at variable interunit angles. A dual‐bubble configuration achieves 100% delivery success across diverse materials and high‐curvature conditions. This approach decouples delivery efficacy from catheter stiffness, providing a mechanically flexible and reconfigurable solution for complex luminal geometries.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Intelligent Systems
Published
2026-06-18
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/aisy.70453
Primary Topic
Ultrasound and Hyperthermia Applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Segmented Therapeutic Delivery via Acoustic Microbubble Relay

Tian‐Yun Huang, Zhen Hua, Xin Zhang, Lei Wang et al.
Advanced Intelligent Systems
Ultrasound and Hyperthermia Applications
article

Segmented Therapeutic Delivery via Acoustic Microbubble Relay

Tian‐Yun Huang, Zhen Hua, Xin Zhang, Lei Wang, Tianshi Lyu, Yiqiang Wu, Yiyang Tang
article en

Abstract

Conventional medical microcatheters, characterized by their stiff, continuous hollow tube design, encounter inevitable mechanical constraints when delivering therapeutic agents through tortuous, highly curved, and narrowing microvascular networks. To overcome this constraint, we introduce an acoustic microbubble‐powered segmented delivery system. This microdevice utilizes oscillating microbubbles confined within discrete 3D‐printed microchannels, interconnected via rotary microhinges. Under ultrasonic excitation, these series‐connected bubble units generate directional acoustic streaming, enabling the targeted delivery of diverse microcargos. Tilted bubble arrays under ultrasound produce asymmetric vortices, breaking flow symmetry and establishing net streamlines that drive unidirectional movement across open channels. Comprehensive experimental and theoretical analyses reveal frequency‐dependent flow regimes, with a resonant peak at 102 kHz achieving delivery velocities up to 630 nL/min at 40 V pp . Geometric optimization reveals a linear correlation among delivery efficiency, acoustic voltage, and bubble quantity and identifies an optimal microchannel length that enhances performance by minimizing vortex interference. Critically, the system enables segmented acoustic delivery around sharp bends (>90°), maintaining hydrodynamic continuity through modular units connected at variable interunit angles. A dual‐bubble configuration achieves 100% delivery success across diverse materials and high‐curvature conditions. This approach decouples delivery efficacy from catheter stiffness, providing a mechanically flexible and reconfigurable solution for complex luminal geometries.

Advanced Intelligent Systems
Peking University (CN), Robotics Research (United States) (US), Beijing Hospital (CN), Peking University First Hospital (CN), Micro & Nano Research Institute (CN), Peking University Third Hospital (CN), National Center for Clinical Laboratories (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 11%
Ultrasound and Hyperthermia Applications
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