Untitled

Nanomedicine

Research on Nanomedicine

A) Introduction

We sat down to discuss the meaning of "nanomedicine" after reading the

printouts. Coincidentally, Jillian and Kendra printed the information from

the same website.

We looked through the pages and found them very hard to understand. Mrs

Tan did some explaining but we still find them hard to understand. So, she

went through with us again.

B) Meaning of Nanomedicine

Let's break up the word to "nano" and "medicine". We found out that "nano"

actually means very small. It refers to one thousand millionth of a particular

unit. "Medicine" means the treatment and study of illnesses and injuries.

So, we define "nanomedicine" as the treatment and study of illnesses and

injuries in a very small scale.

According to Robert A. Freitas Jr., "Nanomedicine may be defined as the

monitoring, repair, construction and control of human biological systems at

the molecular level, using engineered nanodevices and nanostructures. (So,

"chim".)

C) Reason For Nanomedicine

Our body is made up of cells. All diseases, physical ailments, and even

ageing are attributed to molecular cause. So, we should solve the problem at

the roots. Current medical techniques are too crude from this molecular

view. Therefore, nanomedicine is the answer to the problem.

D) Objective of the Nanorobot

Nanorobots can be sent into the human body to locate and puncture the virus

whose content is spilled out and the virus will lose its effectiveness.

Another way is for the robots to locate and hold on to the virus and dispose

it later.

E) Prevention of Rejection by the body

However, to prevent rejection from the body, the nanorobots have to be

specially built with a coating made from carbon in the form of diamond. The

smoother and more flawless the coating, the less the reaction from the

body's immune system.

F) Manoeuvring of the Nanorobot

Once the nanorobots are in the body, they need to sense the viruses in the

body with a system of sensors to identify the surroundings. Freitas suggests

using "chemotactic sensors". The nanorobots will be able to distinguish

between different cell types by checking their surface antigens.

G) Energy Required by the Nanorobot

The nanorobots may be powered by metabolising local glucose and oxygen

for energy or by acoustic energy.

H) Upon Completion of Task

When the task is completed, the robots must leave the body either by

programmed amount of time or upon command which can be sent via

acoustic ultrasound.

I) Application of Nanorobots

1. To Cure Skin Disease

The nanorobots may exist in a cream. The robots will remove the right amount of
dead skin and excess oil. At the same time, the robot can apply moisturising
compounds on the skin.

2. Mouthwash

A mouthwash which contains nanorobots can be used to identify food particles,
plaque or tartar and remove them.

3. Removal of Virus/Bacteria

The nanorobots can be sent into the body to locate and remove viruses or bacteria.

4. Unclogging Blood Vessels

The nanorobots can be planted in the blood vessels to unclog them and thus, widen
the vessels.

5. Implanting Medicine at a Precise Part of the Body

The nanorobots, with capsules, can be sent into the body to embed the capsules at
precise part of the body.

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