Minimally-Invasive Soft-Robot-Assisted Deep-Brain Localized Therapeutics Delivery for Neurological Disorders

Introduction

Robotics and imaging can revolutionize healthcare by overcoming limitations of existing practice and enabling the clinical translation of emerging treatments. Along this direction, SoftReach focuses on improving the treatment of neurological disorders (NDs), a major unmet healthcare challenge.

Problem Statement

Despite the devastating impact of NDs on millions, existing treatments have poor efficacy. SoftReach aims to radically improve treatments by providing localized delivery of therapeutics in deep-brain regions involved in ND pathophysiology. The proposed platform can enhance the efficacy of pharmaceutical treatments by bypassing limitations of systemic delivery and providing means to implement promising cell therapies.

Innovations

Our paradigm-shifting ambition will be realized through two major innovations:

1. Submillimeter Soft-Growing Steerable Robotic Platform:

   • The first of its kind, this platform will utilize real-time MRI feedback to navigate through the spine subarachnoid space and the Ventricular System (VS), where it will attach μl-sized payloads (carriers of therapeutics) at specific locations.

2. Novel μl-sized Tissue Construct Payloads (TCPs):

   • Built around precisely microfabricated deployable porous scaffolds, these payloads can attach stably on VS walls and deliver therapeutic factors to adjacent brain regions.

Demonstration

The platform will be demonstrated via two parallel efforts:

1. The ability of the soft-growing robot to extend via the VS and safely deliver TCPs under real-time MRI feedback will be demonstrated in high-fidelity phantoms of the human VS.
2. TCP-mediated localized delivery of treatments (compounds, cells) via the VS will be demonstrated stereotactically in mice.

Impact

By providing minimally invasive access to deep-brain regions of major clinical importance that lie beyond the reach of existing procedures, SoftReach can revolutionize the clinical practice of ND treatments and provide disruptive tools that can impact multiple fields such as gene therapy, neurosurgery, and oncology.