Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is the manipulation of tools and devices on a scale that is measured in nanometers (1 nanometer is the equivalent to 0.000000009 meter). These tools and machines will operate on a molecular level and enable various procedures and ultimately help people. Although the research is relatively fresh and most of that research is still conceptual and under developmental stages, the potential benefits of nanotechnology are still possible and seemingly very beneficial.
Revolutionizing Drug Delivery
Drug delivery as it stands is not as effective and efficient as it can be. Through the research of nanotechnology, scientists are developing newer ways of delivering drugs to patients. The premier of things called nanobots are the first step into achieving this new medium for drug delivery. The concept behind this is have the nanobots travel to the specified area of the patient that needs the administration of the drugs. Then once the nanobot is there a train of compounds will follow it and a sort make-shift assembly line will be created. Once that has been established. The nanobot will begin to assemble the compounds to create the desired drug, thus allowing the drug to be highly specialized to that area and bypass the body's systems that wear away its effectiveness by dissolving its soluble products.
Support Beams for Construction
In addition to the utilization of nanobots, nanofibers are another feature nanotechnology offers that enable the progression of modern medicine. The concept of nanofibers is the creation of synthetic materials that serve as a support structure for cells and tissues to bind to. This concept is highly beneficial in modern medicine because it can be applied to extreme reconstruction surgeries. Surgeons will be able to attach nanofibers to a severely disfigured area on a patient. By adding these nanofibers to that area, tissues will have a more organized and uniform process of regenerating the lost tissue in that area. This implies that by using nanofibers, surgeons can turn disfigured areas into areas that are nearly identical to a healthy state. The materials used to create nanofibers vary from a mixture oragnic-organic or inorganic-organic compounds of the nanofibers.
Maintaining a Constant State of Health
Nanotechnology provides another benefit to supplement human health. Through the introduction of nanobots into people's body systems, nanobots will serve as regulators and monitors of various systems in people's bodies. Doctors can take advantage of the presence of nanobots in a person's body so that they can get more accurate readings on various things in their body such as their cholesterol level or the insulin in their blood. In addition to monitoring the health of a person's body, nanobots can supplement a person's immune system. Specialized nanobots can be introduced into the body to help defend against pathogens alongside with a person's healthy white blood cells. Ultimately, people will be able to maintain a more constant state of health. This technology has the strong potential to extend people's life spans indefinitely.
References
Ravichandran, R. (2009). Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems. Nanobiotechnology, 5(1-4), 17- 33. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12030-009-9028-2
Zarbin, M. A., Montemagno, C., Leary, J. F., & Ritch, R. (2010). Nanomedicine in ophthalmology: The new frontier.American Journal of Ophthalmology, 150(2), 144-162.e2. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2010.03.019
Zhang, Y. Z., & Lim, C. T. (2008). The development of biocomposite nanofibers for tissue scaffolding applications. JOM,60(6), 45-48. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/232563207?accountid=29001
Images
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hfvtav10k74/TwFw711N26I/AAAAAAAAANM/Ef6h6D6iuxI/s1600/nanotechnology_001.png
http://hemcon.com/Portals/1/nanofibers_v2_wht.jpg
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/images/articles/244972-nanotechnology-3.jpg
Video
http://youtu.be/RBjWwlnq3cA
Ravichandran, R. (2009). Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems. Nanobiotechnology, 5(1-4), 17- 33. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12030-009-9028-2
Zarbin, M. A., Montemagno, C., Leary, J. F., & Ritch, R. (2010). Nanomedicine in ophthalmology: The new frontier.American Journal of Ophthalmology, 150(2), 144-162.e2. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2010.03.019
Zhang, Y. Z., & Lim, C. T. (2008). The development of biocomposite nanofibers for tissue scaffolding applications. JOM,60(6), 45-48. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/232563207?accountid=29001
Images
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hfvtav10k74/TwFw711N26I/AAAAAAAAANM/Ef6h6D6iuxI/s1600/nanotechnology_001.png
http://hemcon.com/Portals/1/nanofibers_v2_wht.jpg
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/images/articles/244972-nanotechnology-3.jpg
Video
http://youtu.be/RBjWwlnq3cA
USciences
WR 102-06
Sinjin Lucio