Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
and suggested that the nanoscale i ber morphology provides size-matched
spaces for trapping and immobilizing the protein biomolecule, resulting
in improved detection signal strength. Nanotechnology-based biosensors
for vulnerable coronary vascular plaque rupture were designed and fab-
ricated using micro- and nanotextured polystyrene polymer structures
[140]. Nanoi bers, which mimic collagen i brils in the extracellular matrix
(ECM), can be created from a host of natural and synthetic compounds
and have multiple properties that may be benei cial to burn wound care.
h ese properties include a large surface-area-to-volume ratio, high poros-
ity, improved cell adherence, proliferation and migration, and controlled
in vivo
degradation rates. h e large surface area of nanoi ber mats allows
for increased interaction with compounds and provides a mechanism for
sustained release of antibiotics, analgesics, or growth factors into burn
wounds; high porosity allows dif usion of nutrients and waste. Improved
cell function on these scaf olds will promote healing [141].
Neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and stroke are rapidly increasing
as the population ages. h e diagnosis and treatment of devastating human
diseases are possible with nanomedicine using liposomes, nanoparticles,
polymeric micelles, block ionomer complexes, nanogels, and dendrimers
for delivery of drugs, genes, and imaging agents. Nanomaterials like fuller-
enes have antioxidant properties to eliminate reactive oxygen species in
the brain to mitigate oxidative stress [142]. Nanomaterials and structures,
such as nanoparticles, nanoi bers, nanosurfaces, nanocoatings, nanoscaf-
folds and nanocomposites, are considered for various applications in
orthopedics and traumatology [143]. Continuous nanostructures embed-
ded with proteins may synergistically present topographical and bio-
chemical signals to cells for tissue engineering applications. h e co-axial
electrospinning of aligned poly(epsilon-caprolactone) nanoi bers, encap-
sulated with bovine serum albumin and platelet-derived growth factor-bb
for controlled release and bioactivity retention, is shown to be a versatile
technique in achieving the delivery of biochemical signals in a controlled
manner for regenerative medicine applications [144]. Poly(alpha-hydroxy
acids), especially lactic acids and glycolic acid and their copolymers with
epsilon-caprolactone, are the most widely known and used among all
biodegradable polymers. Electrospun matrices made of lactic acids, gly-
colic acid and epsilon-caprolactone homo- and co-polymers have been
attracting increasing attention for fabrication of novel materials for medi-
cal use [145]. Biocompatible titanate nanoi ber scaf olds were prepared on
the surface of titanium foil/mesh via a one-step hydrothermal reaction.
h e nanoi bers can self-organize into macroporous scaf olds potentially
