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Introduction to Nanotechnology Implants

Nanotechnology is being applied to many different types of implantable medical devices and structures. Nanotech artificial bone can be made stronger and more biocompatible than conventionally manufactured artificial bone. Nanotechnology scaffolds help damaged nerves to grow back and reconnect. Nanotechnology is the science and practical usage of production on the perspective of nanometers.  This incorporates the assembly of nanotubes, nanocircles, and various geometric configurations -- as well as the assembly of these rudimentary structures into larger scale things with revolutionary attributes.   In the purest form of nanotechnology, the production processes involve some degree of self-assembly at the nanoscopic plane. Objects made using nanotechnology nearly always have one-of-a-kind characteristics such as super conductivity, high strength relative to their weight, low friction, high thermal insulation features, accurate beam frequency selectivity, quantum effects, extreme water repellence, and self-assembling geometric patterns such as nanotubes, nanospheres and nanoctagons. The Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) gives a way to illustration surface contours at the atomic level.  It does not make pictures through reflected light and lenses like a conventional microscope.  Instead, it measures variation in the deflection of a ceramic or semiconductor probe as it moves across the veneer of material.  As the probe moves across the outside, variation in atomic design makes the probe to deflect.  A laser measures the degree of deflection.  Variation in the laser ray is used, in turn, to assemble an atomic size picture of the surface.  The Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) is able to not just create illustrations of atoms, it will likely also propagate them.  Also see -- Small Times. Nanomachines are electro-mechanical machines under a hundred nanometers in size that have been constructed from atomic-scale parts.  Nanobots are sophisticated nano-machines that may -- sense and adapt to environmental stimuli such as heat, beam, surfaces, sounds, and chemicals; perform complex calculations; move, communicate, and coordinate their actions; perform molecular creation; and, to some extent, repair or replicate themselves. Click on images for nanotechnology theme T-shirts and sweatshirts: Modern medical machines (such as pacemakers, computerized artificial limbs, implanted joints, endoscopic lasers, and cardiovascular grafts) alter the human body (on a macroscale) that would have been hard for people to imagine a hundred years ago.   In the future, will nanobiotechnology alter the human body (on a nanoscale) in ways that we cannot now imagine?  Are viruses more like little nanomachines than more multi-faceted living organisms and thus best fought by alternative nano-machines created by humans?  Also watch -- Virtual Tennis. Future developments at the intersection of matter science and nanotechnology will likely lead to the production of smart elements that sense and respond to their surroundings.  These "smart materials" will respond to temperature, pressure, illumination, electricity, or various stimuli.  Nanotechnology may form smart materials (and things made with such materials) equipped with nanosensors and versatile internal designs that modification structure and function with varying conditions and commands. Many human illnesses and injuries have their origins in nanoscale processes.  Accordingly, commercialization of nanotechnology to the practice of medicine and biomedical research initiates up innovative opportunities to treat illnesses, repair injuries, and enhance human functioning beyond what is possible with macro-scale techniques.  At the nano-scale stage, the distinctions between mechanical and biological processes fuse.  Nanoparticles can attach to certain cells or tissues and provide healing likenesses of their location and structure.  Hollow nanocapsules with pharmaceutical contents can attach to cancer cells and release their payloads into them – maximizing targeted delivery and minimizing systemic side effects.  Nanomedibots may repair vital tissue damanged by injury or illness, or destroy cancerous tissue that has gone awry, without invasive surgery.  See also Focal Point Microsystems. Nanopharmacology applications: diagnose conditions and recognize pathogens; identify ideal pharmaceutical agents to treat the condition or pathogens; fuel high-yield production of matched pharmaceuticals (potentially in vivo); locate, attach or enter target tissue, structures or pathogens; and dispense the ideal mass of matched biological compound to the target regions.  See furthermore Virtual Trading. Nanoparticles made of bioresorbable elements can be used to deliver drugs to a specific position within the body or to particular types of tissue scattered throughout the body.  Fullerenes are spherical, hollow nanoparticles that may be used for nano size molecular compound delivery in this manner.  The nanoparticles or capsules not merely protect the biologic agent along the way, but living coverings on the nanocapsules bind with target tissue and trigger timed release of their pharmaceutical payload.   This allows selective killing of cancer cells or viruses that presently resist medical treatment, with minimal systemic biologic agent concentration and side effects.   Future nanocapsules could even work like extremely small man-made viruses, except instead of delivering nucleic acids upon penetration of the cell membrane, they release a medicine within the target cell.  In fact, scientists are investigating the use of empty virus capsules for this purpose. Click on pictures for nanotechnology theme T-shirts and sweatshirts: Nanotechnology chips with biosensors may recognize genes, guide drug discovery, monitor body functioning, and sense biological and chemical pathogens.  Implanted nanochips can achieve these functions continuously, even deep within the human body, but there are barriers.  For example, the body tends to coat and isolate foreign items -- breaking the contact with body fluids and tissues that nanochips demand to collect information about the body.  Scientists are seeking novel ways to prevent or circumvent this coating action so that implantable nanochips may perform functions, such as continuous glucose monitoring, for longer periods of time.  See also InnovaLight. Inquiries about this material and the domain NanoImplants.com may be sent to: NanoImplants.com © 2004-2006 by NanoImplants.com