Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
complex host's reactions to nano- and micro-sized materials and the difficulty in
targeting specific organs in the body. Nevertheless, a lot of work is still ongoing to
optimize and better understand the potential and limitations of nanoparticulate
systems. For example, current research in the excretory systems of mice shows the
ability of gold composites to selectively target certain organs based on their size
and charge. These composites are encapsulated by a dendrimer and assigned a
specific charge and size. Positively charged gold nanoparticles were found to enter
the kidneys while negatively charged gold nanoparticles remained in the liver and
spleen. It is suggested that the positive surface charge of the nanoparticle decreases
the rate of opsonization of nanoparticles in the liver, thus affecting the excretory
pathway. Even at a relatively small size of 5 nm, though, these particles can
become compartmentalized in the peripheral tissues, and will therefore accumulate
in the body over time. While advancement of research proves that targeting and
distribution can be augmented by nanoparticles, the dangers of nanotoxicity
become an important next step in further understanding of their medical uses.
Neuro-Electronic Interfaces
Neuro-electronic interfacing is a visionary goal dealing with the construction of
nanodevices that will permit computers to be joined and linked to the nervous
system. This idea requires the building of a molecular structure that will permit
control and detection of nerve impulses by an external computer. The computers
will be able to interpret, register, and respond to signals the body gives off when it
feels sensations. The demand for such structures is huge because many diseases
involve the decay of the nervous system. Also, many injuries and accidents may
impair the nervous system resulting in dysfunctional systems and paraplegia. If
computers could control the nervous system through neuro-electronic interface,
problems that impair the system could be controlled so that effects of diseases and
injuries could be overcome. Two considerations must be made when selecting the
power source for such applications. They are refuelable and non-refuelable
strategies. A refuelable strategy implies energy is refilled continuously or peri-
odically with external sonic, chemical, tethered, magnetic, or electrical sources. A
non-refuelable strategy implies that all power is drawn from internal energy
storage which would stop when all energy is drained.
Other Benefits of Medical Nanotechnology
Although some are still skeptical about the technology, scientists and researchers
over continents have been practicing medicine using nanotechnology due to its
numerous benefits. Some of these benefits to the medical field include
the
following:
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