Nano 2

Paper2
NANO MEDICINE
- An Emerging Field in Nanotechnology
BY
D.ASHWINI
D.HIMASREE
(G.NARAYANAMMA INSTITUTE OF TEC HNOLOGY AND SC IENC E)
ABSTRACT
Ongoing developments in current engineering technology enable the manufacturing of nanobots

– nanoscale biomolecular machine systems. These are intended for treatment or elimination of
medical problems where accumulation of undesired organic substances interferes with normal
bodily function, such as tumors, arteriosclerosis, blood clots, accumulation of scar tissue and
others. They can also be applied in chemotherapy to combat cancer and to deliver anti HIV drugs.
In this paper emphasis is laid with much speculation on possible future applications of
nanotechnology. Solutions are proposed regarding nanobot's method of entry into the body,
means of propulsion, maintaining a fixed position while operation, control of device, power
source, means of locating substances to be eliminated, elimination of unwanted substances and
finally the removal of the device from the body. This will not only help in curing the ailments but
will also provide valuable empirical data for further developments in the arena. A little information
regarding the appropriate manufacturing techniques for the construction of the device is also
provided.
Keywords: Nanobots, Macro transponder, Propulsion, Sensors.
1. Introduction : “Small is Beautiful”
Nanotechnology is fast becoming the next big thing (only not big
at all). Nanotechnology can aptly be described in a single phrase as “ lab on a chip ” . It deals
with activities at the level of atoms and molecules. A nanometer is a billionth of a meter that is
about 1 in 80,000 parts of the diameter of a human hair, or 10 times the diameter of a H 2
atom. It is that field of science and technology where dimensions in the range of 0.1 nm to 10 nm
play a critical role. Potential of nanotechnology is apparently endless. It encompasses precision
engineering as well as electronics, electromechanical system and mainstream biomedical
applications.
A preeminent application of nanotechnology is in the field of medicine revolutionizing it. Medical

technology is expected to utilize nanobots injected into the patient to perform their treatment at
a cellular level.
2. Introducing the Nanobot into the body :
A way of introduction of nanobot into the body allowing it to access to the operation site without
causing too much ancillary damage, is via circulator system. The size of the nanomachine should
be in a way so as to avoid any damage to the walls of blood vessels the device is in, shouldn't
block the flow of blood causing a clot to form or stop the blood flow precipitating the problem to
be cured. The size of the machine determines the minimum size of the blood vessel it can
traverse. The smaller the machine, the better. But mere reduction in size to a large extent
reduces the versality and effectiveness and arouses problems regarding the external control of
the machine. Hence the size should be proper so as to attain a balance. In light of the above facts
a large diameter artery like the femoral artery in the leg should be selected to gain access to
most parts of the body in minimal time.
3. Navigation and Control of Nanobot :
In the first place, the nanobot should be sent to the operation site. There are two possibilities – it
can either be carried to the site of operation or it can be propelled. The first possibility is to allow
the device to be carried by normal blood flow. This needs navigation of the bloodstream to guide
the device to the site which is not practical enough. This method also requires continuous blood
flow which cannot be met in cases of blood clots, tumors etc. All these objections point out the
need for a supplementary means of locomotion.
A number of means are available for active propulsion

Propeller – A greatly small electric motor like the one developed by William Mc Lellan can be
used for powering the propellers which would push the nanobots to the site through the
bloodstream.
Electromagnetic pump – This device takes conductive fluid at the front end and propels it out
at the back. It uses high magnetic field strengths which demand high capacity conductors.
Apart from the above means jet pump , membrane propulsion and crawling along the
surface , cilia/flagellae design can also be used to navigate the device to the site of
operation. For any of these techniques to be practical, the device must move at a practical speed
against the flow of blood or even in case of pooling of blood. It should be able to remain
unmoving while the course of operation. In view of the above requirement the most obvious
means is the usage of electric motors turning propellers.
The next problem is the detection of the diseased tissue. This can be done by using long and short
range sensors - long range sensors are external sensors and determine the location of the
operation site. The purpose of gaining an idea of the location of the nanobot is meted by the short
range sensors. External sensors use techniques involving ultrasonic waves , X rays , radio
waves etc.
Internal sensors are chemical sensors and they are an integral part of the nanobot and are used
by it to make a final approach and analyze the results of its operations. A laser diode or T.V
Camera can be used for the transmission of the picture outside the body allowing the steering of
the device.
4. Means of Treatment :
The treatment for the medical problems involving damaged tissues is the removal of the tissue
from the body. The clump of mass can be broken up and the process of elimination is left to the
body. The unwanted tissue can be destroyed completely by the device itself. The blood clots or
tissues have to be broken to pieces too small to cause any problem. In case of arteriosclerosis,
the deposits of plaque are
removed from the artery walls by using a blade, probe or edge of

some sort.
These deposits would be carried away through bloodstream to be eliminated by normal

mechanisms of body.
By applying Resonant Microwaves / Ultrasonics or by chemical means, we can destroy the

unwanted tissues in situ safely. A more practical approach to destroy cancerous tumors is
application of heat on cells for prolonged periods of time with Microwaves, Ultrasonic signals,
Electrical Resistance heating, Lasers using nanobots.
5. Power Sources :
The major requirement for nanobot to perform operations is power. The power required can be
obtained from a source with in the body or from an external source.
• Source within the body :
Body Heat is used to power the nanobot thus using the entire body as power supply.
Power from bloodstream - Nanobot can have electrodes mounted on its outer casing that
would combine with the electrolytes in blood to form a battery.
Fuel cell or burning blood chemicals also supply power to the nanobot.
Most practical method is to use an onboard nuclear power source . The same radioactive
material can be used for power and tracking thus reducing the complexity of nanobot.
• Source external to the body :
Wire or cable can be used to transmit power from outside source to the
nanobot. Using Microwaves, Ultrasonic waves, Magnetic field , the nanobot can be powered
without any physical connection. In this case an antenna would be built into the physical structure
of the nanobot. Microwave energy would be beamed into the body where it would be picked up by
the onboard antenna and converted into electricity.
6. Means of Recovery of Nanobot from the Body :
A nanobot which has been introduced

into the body in order to perform a specific task can be removed if it can proceed to a point
where it can be removed easily or it can backtrack to where it first entered the body. The nanobot
can be traversed through major blood vessels and wind up at a point where we can filter the
nanomachine out of the bloodstream. The nanomachine can also anchor itself to a blood vessel
that is easily accessible from outside so that by performing small surgical operation it can be
removed.
7. Proposed Design :
Nanobot manufacturing will require development of technologies in fabrication, computation,

sensing and manipulation. Its design comprises of components like molecular sorting rotors, robot
arm, a design derived from biological models. Its exterior consists of diamondoid material and an
artificial glycocalyx surface that minimizes absorption and bioactivity of blood proteins.
C hemotatic sensors present distinguish different molecules and thus have different affinity for
each kind of molecule. They detect obstacles which may lead to requirement of a new trajectory
planning.
Plane surfaces and bidirectional propellers

provide navigation, while two simultaneously counter rotating screw drivers provide propulsion,
enabling motion with six degrees of freedom. They use a macro transponder navigational system
for their positioning.
The theoretical and simulation studies defining design strategies capabilities and limitations will
supply better comprehension of nanobots behaviour and the nanoworld.
8. Future Applications :
• Nanobots can be used to break up the kidney stones and liver stones by means of high
intensity ultrasonic.
• Nanobots can be used to clean wounds and burns and to attack other life forms in the body.
• Nanobots can be used to attack other life forms in the body. Parasites like liver flukes can be
dealt.
• They can be useful for treatment of dirty lungs. Particles of tar and other pollutants can be
removed and replaced such that natural processes of body can dispose them.
9. Conclusions :
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. C ases like deep brain tumors which cannot be treated by surgery can be
treated using nanotechnology. It is time for us to start by creating some actually working devices
that will allow us 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.
10. References :
• Freitas Jr., R.A., Nanomedicine, Landes Bioscience (1999)
• Freitas Jr., R.A., Nanomedicine Vol. IIA, Biocompatibility, Landes Bioscience (2003)
• Websites : www.foresight.org
www.medicaldesignonline.com
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Paper2

- An Emerging Field in Nanotechnology

(G.NARAYANAMMA INSTITUTE OF TEC HNOLOGY AND SC IENC E)

Ongoing developments in current engineering technology enable the manufacturing of nanobots

Keywords: Nanobots, Macro transponder, Propulsion, Sensors.

1. Introduction : “Small is Beautiful”

A preeminent application of nanotechnology is in the field of medicine revolutionizing it. Medical

2. Introducing the Nanobot into the body :

3. Navigation and Control of Nanobot :

A number of means are available for active propulsion

removed from the artery walls by using a blade, probe or edge of

These deposits would be carried away through bloodstream to be eliminated by normal

By applying Resonant Microwaves / Ultrasonics or by chemical means, we can destroy the

• Source within the body :

• Source external to the body :

6. Means of Recovery of Nanobot from the Body :

A nanobot which has been introduced

Nanobot manufacturing will require development of technologies in fabrication, computation,

Plane surfaces and bidirectional propellers

• Freitas Jr., R.A., Nanomedicine, Landes Bioscience (1999)

C ollected and C reated by youtrick.com .....

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