The Lung
The lung presents significant challenges for therapeutic development due to its complex anatomy, dynamic physiological environment, and constant exposure to external particles, pathogens, and pollutants.
Respiratory diseases remain a major global health burden, while effective delivery and testing of therapies within the lung continues to be difficult.
MicroTex explores microscale approaches that aim to improve understanding, testing, and translation of therapies relevant to lung health and disease.
Key Challenges in Lung Therapeutics
The lung presents major challenges for therapeutic delivery and translational research due to its complex airway structure, protective mechanisms, and difficulty accessing the deepest regions of the respiratory tract.
Complex Airway Structure
The smallest branches of the lung are difficult to reach with conventional bronchoscopy tools, limiting precise therapeutic delivery and sampling.
Inflammation and Infection
Respiratory diseases can alter tissue barriers and increase mucus production, making therapies less effective and more difficult to deliver.
Limited Drug Retention
Mucus clearance and airflow can reduce the amount of therapy that reaches and remains at the target site.
Microscale Approaches in the Lung
MicroTex explores microscale and targeted approaches that may support more precise therapeutic delivery, localised evaluation, and translational respiratory research. The platform focuses on improving access to difficult-to-reach regions.
Areas of Focus
Targeted therapeutic delivery
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Localised sensing and sampling
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Translational respiratory research
Robotic Bronchoscopy
A bronchoscopy is a common procedure used to look inside and treat the lungs by inserting a thin tube into the airways. However, reaching precise and consistent locations, especially in the deeper parts of the lung, can be challenging with current tools.
MicroTex is developing a smaller, robotic bronchoscopy system to improve accuracy and control. Robotics can help guide the device more precisely through the airways, enabling more consistent access to specific areas of the lung.
