Direct interfacing of electrodes or sensors with the brain is becoming increasingly interesting to clinicians, both to treat illnesses like Parkinson’s disease and to interact with groups of cells in the brain in the case of providing patients like paraplegics with the ability to directly control interface devices like cursors or controls. In spite of the successes seen in trials, conventional electrodes have some drawbacks and limitations, such as deterioration over time and particular difficulties in receiving signals.

Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre, led by Edward Keefer, have now developed electrodes, coated with carbon nanotubes that appear to be more efficient at sending and receiving electrical signals when interfaced with neurons while using less power and suffering from less noise. There are also hopes that, because of the degree of miniaturisation possible and low power requirements, the nanocoated electrodes might also find application in advanced prosthetic devices.

Read more at MIT Technology Review.

Posted: September 26th, 2008 under Advanced medtech, Nanomedicine, Nanotechnology.
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Researchers at the University of California and Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a dual-purpose micellar hybrid nanoparticle capable of simultaneous magnetofluorescence imaging of, and drug delivery to, tumours whilst avoiding attack by the immune system.

The nanoparticles are about 50nm in diameter and are functionalised with a protein called F3 which can bind to cancer cells. The particles are hybrid in that they carry two types of smaller nanoparticles: superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIOs), which permit tracking and imaging under MRI and fluorescent quantum dots which can be imaged using a fluorescence scanner, along with molecules of the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin. Because the drug can be accurately targeted far smaller quantities are required and there is much reduced damage to healthy cells, as compared with conventional chemotherapy.

Full story available at the University of California San Diego News Centre.

Posted: September 14th, 2008 under Advanced medtech, Nanomedicine, Nanotechnology.
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