Magnetically steerable microcatheters have emerged as promising tools for minimally invasive interventions, offering wireless control and navigation through complex anatomical pathways. However, most existing systems are limited to locomotion‐only tasks and lack integrated functionalities such as fluid delivery and optical guidance—capabilities essential for clinical deployment. Herein, we present a superlubricated, magnetically steerable microcatheter that integrates magnetic actuation, fluid delivery, and optical transmission within a unified platform. The microcatheter is fabricated by casting a magnetic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite into a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) mold, while co‐embedding an optical fiber and a microfluidic channel. After forming a continuous structure, a thin layer of pure PDMS is applied to the surface, enabling uniform hydrophilic coating via photopolymerized hydrogel. This continuous lubricating layer significantly reduces friction and enhances steerability in tortuous geometries. Directional magnetic anisotropy is induced during thermal curing to allow precise actuation under clinically relevant magnetic fields. Functional evaluations in flexible ring‐navigation and vascular phantom experiments demonstrate reliable magnetic control, reduced interfacial friction, and stable multi‐channel performance. This work provides a modular and scalable strategy for constructing multifunctional soft microcatheters, offering a versatile platform for future magnetically actuated interventional devices.
Du et al. (Sun,) studied this question.
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