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to aid surgeons by providing specific properties of tissue to be cut and information
about performance of their instruments during surgery. The usefulness of CNTs
for optically guiding surgery should also be investigated. This can lead to easy
removal of tumors and other diseased sites. Another option is the use of molecular
nanotechnology (MNT) or nanorobotics in surgery [43]. In nanorobotics, sur-
geons move joystick handles to manipulate robot arms containing miniature
surgical instruments at the ports. Another robot arm contains a miniature camera
for a broad view of the surgical site. It results in less stress for surgeons and less
pain for patients; at the same time, high precision and safety is achieved. MNT
allows in vivo surgery on individual human cells. Nanorobotics-based surgery can
be used for gall bladder, cardiac, prostrate, bypass, colorectal, esophageal, and
gynecological surgery. However, nanorobotic systems for performing surgery
require the ability to build precise structures, actuators, and motors that operate
at molecular level to enable manipulation and locomotion. As nanotweezers (that
can be used for manipulation and modification of biological systems such as
structures within a cell) have already been created using CNTs, they have the
potential to be used in medical nanorobotics. Besides, Cumings and Zettl [44] have
demonstrated that nested CNTs can make exceptionally low friction nanobear-
ings. These nanobearings can be used in many surgical tools. Therefore, research
can be extended to investigate the application of CNTs in other surgical tools.
18.3.2.5. Tissue Engineering and Implantable Devices.
The final areas of
medicine that could be impacted by carbon nanotubes are tissue repair and
implantable devices. In the repair of damaged tissue, a simple transplant often
does not restore the functionality of that tissue. Cells respond to their physical and
chemical environment, and tissue generation requires support from the extra-
cellular matrix for proper cell differentiation and mediation of interactions
between cells such that a particular functionality is achieved. The engineered
generation of functional tissue as such requires scaffolds, and carbon nanotubes
are emerging as promising materials in this regard. Scaffolds have been con-
structed using CNTs and have been further functionalized in order to promote
proper cell growth and tissue formation. Collagen-SWCNT composites have been
used as scaffolds for seeding smooth muscle cells. Neurons were shown to grow on
unmodified MWCNT surfaces and further studies looked into modification of
these surfaces, introducing cellular growth signals to promote specific growth.
These studies pointed toward the possibility of using CNT scaffolds for the
development of neural prostheses as implantable devices for the regeneration of
neuronal tissue. Research is also being conducted using CNT scaffolds for the
regeneration of visual tissue. Retinal pigment epithelial cells have been shown to
grow well on these surfaces, and the scaffolds showed potential in subretinal
implantation. Other work in this area used vertically aligned MWCNTs on
electrode surfaces in order to exploit their electrical properties for potential
implantable retinal prosthesis. Studies looking into the growth of osteoblasts on
as-produced and functionalized MWCNTs and SWCNTs have determined
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