Nano Technology and Its Applications in Medicine

Nanotechnology is a new field of science which manipulates atoms and molecules to form new materials. Nanomedicine is the medical application of nanotechnology. The signs of disease and sickness first appear at the cellular level in the body and the instruments currently used within medicine can only detect abnormalities on a macro scale. Nanotechnology being able to diagnose and cure at the molecular level will enable physicians to treat the root origins of sickness and disease, and assist, or even replace, this regenerative process.

Applications of Nanotechnology in Medicine:

• One of the major application of the nanotechnology technology in the medicine is employing nano particles to deliver drugs, heat, light or other substances to specific types of cells. These nano particles are engineered so that they attracted to diseased cells, which allows direct treatment of those cells and this also protects the healthy cells and allows for earlier detection of disease.
• Buckyballs a type of nano particles are used to trap the free radicals and block the inflammation that results during allergic reactions.
• Nanoshells may be used to concentrate the heat from infrared light to destroy cancer cells with minimal damage to surrounding healthy cells.
• Alumino silicate nanoparticles can more quickly reduce bleeding in trauma patients by absorbing water, causing blood in a wound to clot quickly.
• Nano fibers can stimulate the production of cartilage in damaged joints.
• Nano particles are also stimulate an immune response to fight respiratory viruses when inhaled.
• Nano crystalline silver is used as an antimicrobial agent for the treatment of wounds.
• Iron oxide nanoparticles can be used to improve MRI images of cancer tumors.
• Nanoparticles can attach to proteins or other molecules, allowing detection of disease indicators in a lab sample at a very early stage.
• Magnetic nanoparticles are used to identify specimens, including proteins, nucleic acids, and other materials.

Nano technology is becoming very much popular these days due to its enormous benefits.