Introduction - Microsurgery: Advances, Simulations, and Applications - page 22

of the drug and biodegradable polymers. This reduces the initial
drug burst of other treatments and enables the development of
programmable chemotherapy for cardiovascular diseases [60-61].
The manipulation of magnetic micro beads traveling in the blood
stream has been achieved in in vitro and in vivo experiments using
the magnetic ield of magnetic resonance imaging equipment [62-
63]. These experiments enabled the development of therapeutic
microcarriers encapsulating magnetic nanoparticles and antitumor
drugs. The therapeutic microcarriers were delivered to the hepatic
artery of a rabbit and controlled chemoembolization was achieved
steering the carriers to the target vasculature using the magnetic
ield of the magnetic resonance imaging equipment [64] (Fig. 1.22).
Magnetoliposomes were also proposed for drug delivery systems as
they are formed by iron-complex solution and biogenic phospholipids,
their size is within the range of 100-400 nm, and they enable the
encapsulation of boron compounds for cancer treatments [65].

b)

a)

20Mm

20nm Graphite

Shell

Figure 1.22 (a) Magnetic nanoparticles and (b) therapeutic microcarriers
proposed for drug delivery in [64].

1.2.8 Rehabilitation and Recovery

Another domain of medical robotics is composed of the systems
developed for rehabilitation and recovery, such as prosthesis,
wheelchairs, and robots used for physical and mental therapy.
One of the most successful robots for mental therapy is the robot
Paro, which is being used in many countries and improves the
motivation and socialization of patients and their relation with the