The robot isn't rigid metal it's a gelatin based hydrogel filament embedded with micromagnets and loaded with urease, an enzyme that breaks down uric acid kidney stones by raising local pH.
Doctors steer it wirelessly through the urinary tract using an external magnetic arm, guided in real time by ultrasound. No incision. No catheter irrigation. The robot navigates from bladder to ureter to renal pelvis and dissolves the stone directly at the site.
Kidney stones affect 12% of people globally and frequently recur meaning many patients cycle through years of drug treatment and repeat surgeries. This targets the stone itself, not the symptom.
Currently validated in a 3D printed human urinary tract model. Large animal trials are next before human testing begins.
📌 Source: University of Waterloo, Advanced Healthcare Materials, 2025
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