The Role of Nanotechnology in Surgery

As technology advances to keep up with the modern world, there are vast surgical improvements happening as well. One example is nanotechnology. This is defined by technology that deals with dimensions less than one hundred nanometers. That's about the thickness of a human hair! Nanotechnology is currently being tested and improved to help thousands of people across the globe with surgery. One day, there may even be tiny robots performing surgery autonomously within an artery or tissue. Currently, there are simpler usages of nanotechnology that are already being used today for different purposes such as drug delivery and disease diagnosis. 

A key benefit to nanotechnology is its ability to perform procedures directly and as easily as possible. For example, this invention can be used for drug delivery during surgery. Whether it's an-inflammatory agent or medication, this technology can be delivered directly to specific tissues or parts of the body to maximize effectiveness and improve healing. There are also nanocoated instruments that provide important supporting roles in surgery. Nanoparticles cover the surface of surgical tools to improve durability and cleanliness.  This coating is also used on sutures that release some particles that keep the wound clean and promote healing.

Nanotechnology is working with lab-on-chip technology to provide multiple functions. Lab-on-chip technology is a chip that integrates many lab functions such as controlling miniscule amounts of liquid, screening for drugs, and analyzing diagnostics all in a single chip. The combination of these two technologies created lab-on-nanoparticles. These are small devices that can monitor patients in real time and will even be innovated to target cancer cells. They can also diagnose different diseases and disorders that can speed up diagnosis and treatment.

When thinking of nanotechnology and how it relates to surgery, many people might think of nanobots: extremely small robots that can enter the human body and perform tasks. Their components include sensors, an outer shell, drug reservoirs, processing units, or any other addition it might need to carry out a specific task. However this idea is still relatively new and needs time to make it into reality.  Scientists are currently testing nanobots for targeted drug delivery, gene therapy, and minimally invasive surgery. The goal is for them to be able to navigate the body autonomously and deliver drugs directly to tumor cells or even clear blocked arteries. In the future, nanotechnology will be much more developed and researchers are currently working on these nanobots that will revolutionize surgery and the entire medical field.

Nanotechnology is already used in surgeries and clinical use today. In surgery specifically, nanotechnology mostly plays supporting roles to help surgeons complete their tasks easier and more effectively. However, it won’t be long until scientists find a way to take nanotechnology even further that will continue to revolutionize the surgical field.

Written by Jada Gadoros at Incisionary

Sources:

Ray, A. (2019, October 8). How fascinating nanotechnology revolutionizes surgery. Pioneering Minds. https://www.pioneeringminds.com/fascinating-nanotechnology-revolutionizes-surgery/

How are Nanobots Proving Their Excellence in the Healthcare Industry? (2022, July 20). DelveInsight Business Research. https://www.delveinsight.com/blog/nanobots-in-the-healthcare-sector

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Role of Nanotechnology in Modern Surgical Techniques - Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics. (2024, December 18). Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics - Breaking Boundries of Science, Technology, Medicine, Art & Healthcare Policy. https://www.worldbrainmapping.org/courses/lessons/role-of-nanotechnology-in-modern-surgical-techniques/

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Malik, S., Muhammad, K., & Waheed, Y. (2023). Emerging applications of nanotechnology in healthcare and medicine. Molecules, 28(18). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28186624