TREATMENT OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS THROUGH PENETRATION OF PLAQUE BY SOFT ROBOTS

A substance called plaque accumulates on the inner walls of arteries due to the consumption of foods high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and so on. The accumulation of plaque deposits leads to a condition known as atherosclerosis, which results in the narrowing and hardening of the arteries. This can lead to coronary artery disease, carotid artery disease, peripheral artery disease, chest pain (also referred to as angina pectoris), heart attack, heart failure, and many more medical complications. The current treatments for atherosclerosis include coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), angioplasty, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and a number of health and lifestyle changes that could prevent atherosclerotic plaque buildup. These surgeries either involve opening clogged arteries to prevent constriction or directing the blood away from the blocked artery. In both these cases, risks of bleeding, bruising, and complete recovery are prevalent. Therefore, a procedure in which a robot could remove the plaque from the walls of the arteries would greatly increase the success of the treatment and perhaps reduce the risks. This paper intends to review the newly proposed robots for the treatment of atherosclerosis, some of which are magnetically manipulated to drill the plaque to remove it from the arterial wall, and others that are meant to melt the plaque while still preserving the physical integrity of the arteries.