application of nanotechnology to medicine

8/8/2019 Application of Nanotechnology to Medicine

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APPLICATION OF

NANOTECHNOLOGY TO MEDICINE

NANOMEDICINES

DIVYA HAMIRWASIA

10BM60025

2010-2012

VINOD GUPTA SCHOOL OF

MANAGEMENT

IIT KHARAGPUR


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ABSTRACT:

Medical science and technology have been two vital aspects of science . Nanotechnology is the

engineering offunctional systems at the molecular scale. The integration of this nanotechnology to

the medical field is called nanomedicines. Nanomedicine is the process of by which we can diagnose,

treat, and prevent disease and traumatic injury. It is the process of relieving pain and of preserving

and improving human health by using nanoscale-structured materials and simple nanodevices that

can be manufactured today, including the interaction of nanostructured materials with biological

systems. Applications of nanotechnology in the medical field are very promising. This paper talks of

technologies like nanohealing which basically uses nanostructure material that stops bleeding almost

instantly. This paper also proposes the use of nanorobot based on the nanotechnology that will be

used for replacing the existing surgeries that involves so many risks to the patient and also for curing

many diseases.

INTRODUCTION:

NANOTECHNOLOGY:

Nanotechnology basically refers to engineering at the molecular level. It is process of creating useful

materials, devices and systems through the manipulation of matter on a minuscule scale which is

called manometer (a billionth of a metre). Nanotechnology is being applied to almost each and every

field imaginable. This includes electronics, optics, information technology, materials development, and

biomedicine. Because of their small size, these devices readily interact with bio molecules on both the

surface and inside cells which forms the bases of their success in the medical arena.


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NANOMEDICINE:

Nanomedicine is the application of nanotechnology in the medical field. It aims at ensuring the

comprehensive monitoring, control, construction, repair, defence and improvement of all human

biological systems, working from the molecular level using engineered devices and nanostructures,

ultimately to achieve medical benefit. The use of nanotechnology goes from the use of nanomaterials

in medical applications and instruments to nanoelectric biosensors. Nanotechnology in medicine is

now moving towards Molecular Nanotechnology and its applications which has a very promising

future. The current problems with nanotechnology are issues related to toxicity and environmental

impact that the technology has.

NANOBOTS:

Nanobots are the next generation of nanomachines which will be able to sense and adapt to

environmental stimuli such as heat, light, sounds, surface textures, and chemicals. They will be able

to perform complex calculations which otherwise are not possible; move, communicate, and work

together as a combined system; conduct molecular assembly; and, to some extent, repair or even

replicate themselves without any external inputs.

Due to the small size, these nanobots will be able to traverse through the human body seeking the

diseased cells and destroying them. The exterior of a nanorobot will be constructed of carbon atoms

in a diamondoid structure. This choice is because of its inert properties and strength.

Nanorobots will possess rudimentary two-way communication. They will respond to acoustic signals

and hence will be able to receive power and even re-programming instructions recieved from an
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-carbon.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-carbon.htm


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external source through sound waves. A network of special stationary nanorobots can be positioned

throughout the body such that it logs each active nanorobots it passes, and report those results. This

would allow an interface to keep track of all of the devices in the body. A doctor could monitor a

patient's progress and also change the instructions of the nanorobots to progress to another stage ofhealing. When the task is completed, the nanorobots would be flushed out from the body.

FIELDS OF APPLICATION:

Some possible applications using nanorobots in daily life are as follows:

1. A cream containing nanorobots may be used to cure skin diseases. It would remove the right

amount of dead skin and excess oils. It could also identify and then add missing oils. It could

provide the appropriate amount of natural moisturising compounds, and could help achieve

the elusive goal of 'deep pore cleaning'by actually reaching down into pores and cleaning

them out. The cream could be a smart material with features like smooth-on, peel-off etc for

the users convenience.

2. A mouthwash made from smart nanomachines could help identify and then destroy

pathogenic bacteria while preserving the harmless flora of the mouth and allowing it to flourish

in a healthy ecosystem. Further, this device could identify particles of food, plaque, or tartar,and detach them from teeth to be washed away. Because the devices would be suspended in

liquid and would be able to swim about, they would be able to reach surfaces which are

beyond the reach of toothbrush bristles. They could be built such that they last only a few

minutes in the body after which they fall apart into materials of the sort found in foods and

disintegrate themselves.

3. These could strengthen the immune system by the means of finding and even disabling

unwanted bacteria and viruses in the body. When such an invader is discovered, it could be

punctured so that its contents spill out and its effectiveness ends.

4. When working in the bloodstream, these devices could nibble away at arteriosclerotic

deposits which would help widen the affected blood vessels. Damaged artery walls and artery

linings could be restored to health by using Cell herding devices. This can be done by

ensuring that the right cells and structures are in the right places. This would prevent heart

attacks.


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DISADVANTEAGES OF NANOROBOTS

Cost becomes a major factor with the initial design cost is very high.

Complicated design of the nanorobot makes it difficult to fabricate.

Bioelectric-based molecular recognition systems may be activated because of stray fields

that can be created by the electric system.

Hard to Interface, Customize and Design.

With better technology comes the concern of misuse which is the same with Nanorobots.

It can be used by the terrorists and anti groups as a new form of torturing the communities

as nanotechnology can also destruct the human body at the molecular level.

DRUG DELIVERY:

The emergence of nanotechnology is likely to have a significant impact on drug delivery sector. It has

affected just about every route of administration from oral to injectable. In normal circumstances, the

normal payoff between the doctor and the patient is basically for lower drug toxicity, minimal cost of

treatments and an improved bioavailability

For injectable drugs, nanotechnology is already in the process of generating new dosage forms that

are easier to administer. They are more pleasant for the patient to receive and hence confer a

competitive advantage in the marketplace. For example, Johnson & Johnson revealed that Elan's

NanoCrystal technology would be used in a Phase III clinical trial for an injectable formulation of

paliperidone palmitate, a drug for schizophrenia, notes Moradi. This is a new 'nano formulation' of an

older drug which help overcome the original problem of insolubility, by reducing the particle size to

under 200 nm.

New opportunities in implantable delivery systems are also coming up, which are often preferable

to the use of injectable drugs, because the latter frequently display first-order kinetics (the bloodconcentration goes up rapidly, but drops exponentially over time). This rapid rise may cause

difficulties with toxicity, and can result in diminishing drug efficacy because the drug concentration

falls below the targeted range.


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Examples of drug delivery technologies in relation to the current nanotechnology revolution.

Period Before Nanotechnology

(Past)

Transition Period (Present) Mature Nanotechnology

(Future)

Technology Emulsion-based

preparation of nano/micro

particles

Nano/micro fabrication Nano/micro manufacturing

Examples Liposomes

Polymer micelles

- Dendrimers

- Nanoparticles

- Nanocrystals

- Microparticles

- Microchip systems

- Microneedle

transdermal delivery

systems

- Layer-by-layer

assembled systems

- Microdispensed

particles

- Nano/micro

machines for scale-

up production

DRUG DISCOVERY:

Nanotechnology techniques help to study drug-receptor interactions at the molecular level. This makes

a more direct approach to drug delivery feasible. This approach might also allow for the detection of the

disease at the single molecular level long before the actually symptoms of it are felt or manifested.

This can be achieved by monitoring changes in atomic forces or ion conductance of a single Receptor

or ion channel .When a drug molecule attaches, these tend to change. However, for the industrial

use, it will require the development of large arrays of such instruments working in parallel to create a

high screening capability.

MEDICAL IMAGING:

Over the past 25 years, there has been a major impact of techniques like non-invasive imaging

technique. The current drive in developing techniques like a functional MRI is to enhance spatial

resolution and contrast agents. Nanotechnologies can of intracellular imaging through attachment of

quantum dots or synthetic chromophores to selected molecules, for example proteins, or by the

incorporation of naturally occurring fluorescent proteins, which ,with optical techniques such as con

focal microscopy and correlation imaging, allow intracellular biochemical processes to be investigated

directly.


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NANOHEALING:

Nanohealing is one of the most vital emerging technologies. It basically refers to a technology to stop

bleeding immediately and thus helping in preventing great blood losses and brain injuries. A new

nanostructured material that stops bleeding almost immediately is used and it was first developed by

MIT under the supervision of Floyd Loop a current advisor to Arch Therapeutics and former

cardiovascular surgeon.

The liquid which was used, is a novel material made of nanoscale protein fragments, or peptides.It

consists of naturally occurring amino acids that have been engineered to form peptides that

spontaneously cluster together to create long fibres when exposed to salty, aqueous environments,

such as those found in the body. The fibres form a mesh that serves as a physical barrier to blood

and other fluids and hence prevents bleeding.

This material has several advantages as compared to current methods for stopping bleeding. It is

much faster and easier than cauterization and it does not damage tissue which happens in the normal

case. It could protect the wound from air and supply amino-acid building blocks to growing cells, thus

making the healing process faster. Within a few weeks, the body completely breaks down the

peptides, so they need not be removed from the wound. The synthetic material also has a long shelf

life and can thus be useful in first-aid kits.

The material will particularly useful in the operating room. It stops the bleeding caused by surgical

incisions and also it could form a protective layer over wounds. The surgeons should now be apply a

layer of this liquid and then operate since it is transparent. This could actually provide the surgeons

with a clearer view and would eliminate or lessen the need to use constant suction and cleaning of the

site. The hope is that surgeons will be able to operate faster, thus reducing complications. The

material may also make it possible to perform more procedures in a minimally invasive way by

allowing a surgeon to quickly stop bleeding at the end of an endoscope. Scientists are looking for

ways to increase the rate of neuronal growth so that doctors can treat larger brain injuries, such as

those that can result from stroke. But such a treatment will take at least five to ten years to reach

humans, Ellis-Behnke says.


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*

Bleeding stops after a solution of engineered peptides is applied to a wound in a rat's liver. The arrow

in the second image points to a deep cut. It bleeds (third image) until the solution us poured onto the

wound. The solution forms a transparent gel (fourth image) that prevents the blood from flowing. The

bleeding stops completely just 8.6 seconds after the wound is made.

*NANOHEALING by Kevin Bullis, Credit: Courtesy of Rutledge Ellis-Behnke

NANOTECHNOLOGY AND CANCER TREATMENT*:

Cancer is caused by damage of genes controlling the growth and division of cells. Genes carry the

basic functional instructions of cells. Cancerous cell need blood supply to grow. A hormone like

molecule causes nearby blood vessel to grow towards the cell to supply the oxygen and other

nutrients. By rectifying the damaging mechanism of the genes or by stopping the blood supply to the

cells or by destroying it, we can cure cancer. Detection or diagnosis is done by confirming the growth

of the cells. The basic aim of nanotechnology is to create single agents that are able to detect as well

as deliver treatment for cancer. Due to their small size, the nanoparticles will circulate through the

body, detect cancer-associated molecular changes, assist with imaging release a therapeutic agent

and lastly monitor the effectiveness of the intervention.

There are a few conventional methods for treatment of cancer. First is by operating and removing the

cancerous organ. The limitation here is that it is not always possible to operate and moreover one

loses an organ. The other methods are chemotherapy and radiation treatment but both have their own

disadvantages and none are sure shit cures.

There are a few nanotechnology tools having application in cancer detection and treatment:

1. Cantilevers: Tiny bars anchored at one end can be engineered to bind to molecules

associated with cancer. These molecules may bind to altered DNA proteins that are present

in certain types of cancer because of which the surface tension changes and the cantilever

tend to band. Monitoring this bent we can detect whether cancerous cells are present hence

aiding in early detection of cancer.


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Schematic diagram showing Cantilevers (Source: National Cancer Institute, USA)

2. Nanopores: nanopores allow one strand of DNA

to pass at a time hence making DNA sequencing

more effective. Because of this the shape and the

properties of the base of each strand can be properly

studied. As each of the 4 strands have their unique

properties, passing through a nanopore can be used

to decode information, including errors in the code

known to be associated with cancer.

3. Nanotubes: nanotubes are smaller than nanopores and can be used to pinpoint exactly where

the DNA change is taking place. Using a nanotube tip, the physical shape of the DNA can be

traced and this information is then translated into topographical map. Mutations are indentified

by the bulky molecules which can be useful in predicting disease.

4. Quatum Dotes: these are tiny crystals which glow when they are stimulated by ultraviolet

light. Latex beads filled with these crystals are stimulated by light. The colour they emit act as

dyes which are used to light up the sequence of interest. The distinctive spectrum of various

colours and intensities of light serve as a sort of spectral bar code.

5. Nanoshells: Nanoshells have a core of silica and a metallic outer layer( usually gold).

Because of their size, nanoshells will preferentially concentrate in cancer lesion sites. This

physical selectivity occurs through a phenomenon called enhanced permeation retention

(EPR).The nanoshells can further be made to carry molecular conjugates to the antigens that


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are expressed on the cancer cells themselves. This second degree of specificity thus links the

nanoshells to the tumour and not to neighbouring healthy cells.

A lot of work is being going on in this field. For example, a $16-million, five-year grant by the National

Cancer Institute's nanomedicine has been initiated to get the expertise of five research institutions tofocus an array of innovative nanotechnologies on improving the outcome of patients with ovarian or

pancreatic cancers. Nanotechnology provides a promising future for the treatment of cancer though

no technology comes without its issues and disadvantages.

BUSINESS IMPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY INTO THE MEDICAL FIELD

Nanotechnology is an emerging science and it can have far-reaching implications for biology,

and medical areas like drug discovery, and other technologies. Nanotechnologies which are

already being used for biological applications include things like liposomal drug-delivery

agents, transfection agents, and magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents.

Nanotechnology will have an important advantage because of its ability to enable and

improve upon other technologies which include RNA interference, gene delivery, and

proteomics.

Multifunctional nanoparticles which can collectively perform processes like targeting, delivery,

and imaging components have important clinical potentials but they will have a complex

regulatory path. The first and probably the most extensive use of multifunctionalnanoparticles as anticipated will be in the areas of drug targeting and lead validation studies.

These particles and complex combinational technologies will have very complex intellectual

property issues that will lead to the need for some kind of multiparty licensing.

Many governments have recognized the need and the importance of harnessing

nanotechnology which will help achieve industrial competitiveness. These governments have

invested heavily in funding nanotechnology based researches and innovation. In the case of

absence of private and ventured investments, various government initiatives have

themselves fostered the growth of many nanotechnology companies. These companies have

a differing business models, and many of them are focused on research tool development ,in

vivo imaging, and drug delivery.

The Nanotechnology drug-delivery companies are facing a problem to partner with

pharmaceutical companies because of the competition from the available drug-delivery

systems. Nevertheless, the pharmaceutical companies can choose to develop their own

systems by using skills gleaned from corporate partnerships. This may be advantageous to

the nanotechnology companies. The pharmaceutical companies should encourage partnering

with a variety of nanotechnology companies and hence finding the best technologies for

drug-delivery and discovery needs.


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CONCLUSION:

Nanotechnology will have a profound impact on our economy and society in the coming era, with the

development of better, faster, stronger, smaller, and cheaper systems .Nanotechnology will provide

far more powerful capabilities which will be powerful not only in expected fields like computers,defence, environment and medicine, but also in higher standard of living for everyone. The benefits of

nanotechnology are difficult to deny and it is not possible to stop development of research related to

it, since now it has already begun to penetrate into many different fields. Nanotechnology in the future

will involve different distributed systems that will contain many kinds of hardware and software

working together to solve problems in a collaborative manner.

Nanotechnology promises to take us a giant step forward in medical field .Incarnation of nanobots is

expected to eradicate diseases through prevention at an early stage making later drug treatments

unnecessary. Cases like deep brain tumours which cannot be treated by surgery can be treated usingnanotechnology. The practical implementation of this technique will mark a great achievement in the

to cure some of the most deadly ailments known, as well as advance our capabilities directly, rather

than as the side effects of other technologies.

Nanotechnology is an area with social concerns in regards to organizations concerns with the ethical

implications of nanotechnology in weaponry after devices have been built. The governments should

examine carefully all the possibilities of nanotechnology before creating more powerful weapons.

Nanotechnology, as a weapon could be disastrous It could adversely affect the stability of cell

membranes or disturb the immune system when inhaled or digested. The nano weapons may becompared to weapon concepts genetically engineered bacteria or viruses. Other concerns rise if the

breakthrough in medicine were achieved; there are many theory of enhancement of the human

physics, increase life expectancy, increase brain power, and many other controversial theories

including religious belief that rise concerns. I think if all these things where made possible, the human

identification will be lost in its path for greater technology, in its attempt to change the world. The main

question at present is the evolutionary path it may create, between the have and have not, since it

may start of very expensive would we separate the two races of those who can afford and those who

cant, where then does it leaves society if this did happen, where does it leave those who are

unfortunate to be in a loss privilege position.

Nanotechnology can change the way we live. It must not be ignored, dismissed or abandoned

because of the downsides. Everything has disadvantages, but usually, as with nanotechnology, the

good over weights the bad. Nanotechnology should be given guidelines to ensure a researcher does

not become too potentially harmful. With any new technology there will be always be those who

wishes to put it into misuse, these guidelines will help prevent it.


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http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c32297/

http://www.cancer.gov/aboutnci/servingpeople/snapshots/nanotech.pdf

http://ajes.in/PDFs/08-2/4.%20Nanotechnology%20and%20Cancer%20Treatment.pdf

http://nano.cancer.gov/learn/now/

http://www.absoluterandom.com/nanohealing-gel-stops-bleeding-almost-instantly/

Robert A. Freitas Jr., Nanomedicine, Volume I: Basic Capabilities, Landes Bioscience,

Georgetown,TX, 1999

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