Nanotechnology in medicine (sometimes referred to as nanomedicine)involves techniques already being used or currently under development, as well as longer range research into the use of manufactured nano-robots to make repairs at the cellular level .

Nanomedicine could revolutionize the way we detect and treat damage to the human body and disease.

Companies are developing customized nanoparticles that can deliver drugs directly to diseased cells. When perfected, this method should help avoid the damage treatments such as chemotherapy currently inflict on healthy cells. Other research includes supplying insulin without daily injections; curing viruses; delivering drugs directly to arterial stents to prevent blockage from reocurring; delivering drugs directly to arterial plaque; and even repairing damaged heart tissue.

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Researchers are developing nanomedicine therapy techniques to deliver treatments such as heat directly to diseased cells, minimizing the damage to healthy tissue that occurs when using radiation therapy or surgery. With targeted heat treatment nanoparticles are attracted by diseased cells and transform infared light into localized heat that destroys the targeted cells. Another method being developed generates sound waves that are powerful and tightly focused for noninvasive surgery. Other researchers are using nanofibers to stimulate the production of cartilage in damaged joints.

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Nanotechnology-based diagnosis techniques under development may provide two major advantages:

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Resercher are attempting to use nanotechnology-based techniques to develop new methods for fighting bacterial infections. Nanoparticles can help fight Staph infections, burns, and other conditions eradicating or avoiding bacterial infection. It's possible that these nano-techniques could remove bacterial infection in minutes, rather than in weeks as is currently the case with antiobiotics.

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Nanotechnology in Medicine - UnderstandingNano