Motorized Spermbots Could Help Treat Infertility

Jan-17-16 Researchers have created motorized ‘spermbots’ that give low mobility sperm an added boost and help guide them to the egg.

Developed by a team from the Dresden Institute for Integrative Nanosciences (IFW Dresden), the spermbots are an evolution of the technology first introduced in 2014, which enclosed the sperm in magnetically guided tubes.

The new version replaces the tubes with tiny metal helices that fit around the tail of the sperm and are spun by a rotating magnetic field. This rotating field not only propels the sperm forward, but also allows it to be guided in three dimensions to the egg. Though the technology remains far from clinical tests, the researchers are optimistic about its potential.

More Info about this Invention:

[IEEE.ORG]
[ACS.ORG]

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