BioMicroRobotics

Robotic explorers allow investigating environments that are difficult if not even impossible to reach for humans. The usage of microrobotic systems permits to obtain detailed knowledge of various micro) environments that were not accessible withformer techniques. Furthermore, microrobots can beused to specifically alter the explored milieus. A potential application for microrobotic systems ismedicine. Propelling/steering microrobots through a human body is a task that requires for fulfilmentthe implementation of different fields of knowledge. The author, Philipp Exner, outlines the basicquestions of how a computer controlled magneticsteering system that is based on Helmholtz and Maxwell coil configurations can be designed topropel/steer a microrobot in a vitreous bodyor within blood vessels. The presented bookdescribes the basic principles of popelling/steering a microrobot with externalmagnetic fields. Furthermore, different approachesfor the design of such a steering system areevaluated and discussed. The essay provides an interesting overview for everybody who starts to work on microrobot propulsion systems using external electromagnetic fields.