Advancements in navigation of untethered small-scale helical devices

Vascular diseases have a profound impact on human health, presenting considerable challenges for patients and healthcare providers alike. These diseases can lead to complications such as arterial blockages, aneurysms, and vascular malformations, which can pose life-threatening risks if not effectively treated. Conventional treatment approaches often involve invasive procedures, which not only carry inherent risks but also entail lengthy recovery periods. With the continuous advancements in science and technology, magnetic helical devices (MHDs) hold great potential as a minimally invasive surgical tool for treating vascular diseases. By combining minimally invasive interventions, precision navigation, real-time imaging, and expanded treatment options, MHDs have the potential to change the field of vascular medicine, improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden associated with vascular diseases. However, numerous challenges persist in the medical applications of MHDs. For instance, the variations in blood flow velocities resulting from different segments of blood vessels or varying diameters of blood vessels can have uncertain effects on the movement and navigation of the MHD inside the circulatory system. As a result, understanding the implications of varying blood flow velocities on motion control of MHDs is paramount for future advancements in medical applications. In addition, blood vessels exhibit heterogeneity in their geometry, diameter, and branching patterns. Navigating through such complex and diverse vascular structures poses challenges in accurately localizing and driving the MHD inside the vascular networks. Hence, it is worthwhile to explore an effective and stable control method that ensures the safety of the human body during motion control of MHDs inside the blood vessel.