Design and Navigation of Magnetic Micro/Nanorobotic Swarms in Complex Endovascular Networks: From Swarm Dynamics to Targeted Therapeutics

ABSTRACT

The human vascular network, with its intricate geometries and diverse flow regimes, represents a formidable frontier for microrobotic navigation. While isolated microrobots frequently reach their functional ceiling due to weak signal contrast, low payload capacity, and susceptibility to hydrodynamic drag, the emergence of programmable micro/nanorobotic swarms offers a strategy to overcome these limitations in vascular intervention. By harnessing collective intelligence and programmable behavior, these swarms enhance positional stability, detectability in hard‐to‐reach circulatory environments, and versatility across endovascular tasks. This review provides a critical synthesis of magnetic actuation as an effective strategy for governing these collectives, owing to its deep‐tissue penetration and precise spatiotemporal control. An integrated design framework bridges fundamental physical principles and practical swarm‐engineering strategies with their translational potential in endovascular medicine, emphasizing relationships among collective structure, swarm dynamics, and navigation. These collective structures facilitate amplified imaging signals, high local therapeutic payloads, and task‐specific interventions, enabling robust navigation through tortuous vascular networks. By evaluating the transition from laboratory prototypes toward clinical applications, this work highlights the integrated advances required to overcome biosafety and scalability hurdles. Ultimately, programmable magnetic swarms emerge as a versatile platform with considerable potential for high‐precision, minimally invasive endovascular medicine.