{"id":1263,"date":"2021-12-08T00:25:11","date_gmt":"2021-12-07T23:25:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lms.nanoproject.eu\/lms\/?post_type=unit&p=1263"},"modified":"2021-12-08T00:25:11","modified_gmt":"2021-12-07T23:25:11","slug":"the-principals-of-the-future-use-of-nanotechnologies-in-medicine","status":"publish","type":"unit","link":"https:\/\/lms.nanoproject.eu\/lms\/unit\/the-principals-of-the-future-use-of-nanotechnologies-in-medicine\/","title":{"rendered":"The principals of the future use of nanotechnologies in medicine"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sensors using nanoelectronics<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thanks to nanotechnology, particularly nanoelectronics, healthcare will soon go through deep changes by using the traditional strengths of the semiconductor industry \u2013 miniaturisation and integration. While conventional electronics has found a lot of applications in biomedicine \u2013 medical monitoring of vital signals, biophysical studies of tissue irritants, implanted electrodes stimulating the brain, pacemakers, and limb stimulation \u2013 the use of nanomaterials will result in further push towards implantation of electronics in the human body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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Definition<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Nanoelectronics<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nanoelectronics refers to the use of nanotechnology in electronic components. The term covers a diverse set of devices and materials, with the common characteristic that they are so small that inter-atomic interactions and quantum mechanical properties need to be studied extensively. Some of these candidates include: hybrid molecular\/semiconductor electronics, one-dimensional nanotubes\/nanowires (e.g. silicon nanowires or carbon nanotubes) or advanced molecular electronics. Nanoelectronic devices have critical dimensions with a size range between 1 nm and 100 nm.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Nanorobots<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nanorobots are so tiny that a billion of billions of such nanorobots would form an object similar in size to a salt grain. They can reach places where no other technical device known to man would fit. Microrobots are the size of a human cell and nano robots are thousand times smaller, the size of a virus. For example, nanorobots can diagnose stomach cancer based on temperature differences. Nanorobots are beginning to be used in deep cleaning of dental root canals. Also significant is the use of magnetic nanorobots in eye surgery. Applying a precise magnetic field rotating the robot, the eye surgeon can define procedure with micrometer precision. Nanorobots then function as a highly precise micro scalpel. It is apparent that they can do a lot more precise and gentle surgery than any conventional scalpel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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Definition<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Nanorobots<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nanorobots are dynamic systems of molecular machines of a few nanometers in size, the behaviour of which emulates that of living microorganisms \u2013 their properties are similar. Unlike living cells, scientists can implement the required functions in nanorobots, e.g. the ability to decompose harmful chemicals in which bacteria would not survive.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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A lot of techniques of activating the curing process of medicaments contained in nanorobots is in use already. For example, in photodynamic therapy, a photosensitive substance is injected into the patient\u2019s body first and then it is collected on the tumour. Then the affected area is then illuminated with light of a specific wavelength from the outside, activating the substance. Nanorobots are navigated by magnetic field, ultrasound, or light. These are physical phenomena commonly used in medicine. The nanorobot moves thanks to drawing chemical energy from the environment. Having accomplished its mission, it decomposes in the body.<\/p>\n

Nanorobots have many times larger surface area, they can carry a lot more medicaments or special chemical tools that can be attached to them. At the same time, however, their development is a lot more complex than that of microrobots, because they are strongly affected by the Brownian motion (random motion of\u00a0particles\u00a0suspended in a gas or a liquid) due to their nano dimensions. Each nanorobot is designed differently. Imagine transport vehicles, for example. There is a car for the road, a rocket for space, and a ship for water. Transport vehicles usually have an engine, but there is also a sailboat or a sailplane. And the diversity is similar in nanorobots. The number of variants is basically infinite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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Example<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

In the US, they already have nanorobots that are swallowed by the patient and then the float through the stomach looking for the tumour and grip on it. Compared to laparoscopy where doctors remove a tissue sample for testing, the nano procedure is a lot less invasive. The nanorobot is programmed to detect the tumour in the stomach based on its temperature that differs from other tissues. The nanorobot then grips on the tumour and holds on to it until pulled out by doctors using a magnet. Tissue is sampled while the wound is minimal.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Repair and improvement of human bodies<\/strong><\/p>\n

Future progress in medicine will lead to extension of human life thanks to corrections of a number of processes that are believed to be responsible for the process of aging. Nanoparticles will also be used to stimulate the natural repair mechanisms of the body. The main focus of this direction is on artificial activation and control of adult stem cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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Definition<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Transhuman<\/strong><\/p>\n

Transhuman, or trans-human, is the concept of an intermediary form between human and posthuman. In other words, a transhuman is a being that resembles a human in most respects but who has powers and abilities beyond those of standard humans. These abilities might include improved intelligence, awareness, strength, or durability.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Nanofibrous structures, as mentioned in the previous text, are currently applied in the healing of damaged tissues of the human body, because the nature of the nanofibrous layers is very similar to the nature of the intercellular material. As a result, new cells can successfully grow on the nanofibrous structures. Two-component nanofibers not only improve the quality of treatment, but also significantly improve the effectiveness of treatment. However, nanofibrous structures will not be sufficient for the production of complete, replacement human tissues and even whole organs. For this purpose, precision 3D nano printing appears to be a promising technology. This is a very special technology for 3D printing very fine structures with nanoscale precision.<\/p>\n

Another approach to repairing and improving the human body is the use of so-called nanosurgery. Medical applications of nanosurgery could be seen as mere advanced techniques of restoring and maintaining human health, but there is a feasible scenario of creating superhuman abilities (so-called Transhumans). The problems exceed the scope of what is already being discussed in the context of gene therapy, as future surgical procedures could involve implantation of sensors and chips in nano scale that would enhance the existing human abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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Example<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Scientists have already managed to extend the vision of a mouse into the infrared spectrum using nanosensor implants. It is only a matter of time before humans can see better in the dark. However, first we need to discuss whether enhancing human bodies with features that they naturally do not possess is ethical.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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