Abstract :

Nanotechnology will one day revolutionize the biomedical field by providing smaller, efficient, and biocompatible biomaterials for use within the body. The field of biomaterials has already been ongoing for quite some time. Additional goals include hearing and vision implants that could restore lost senses. In all of these respects, nanotechnology has something to offer. Some of the applications are-

Nanostructured tissue scaffolds and biomaterials are being applied for improved tissue design, reconstruction, and reparative medicine. Point-of-care (POC) diagnostic devices, which enable diagnostic testing at the site of care, can enhance patient outcomes by substantially abbreviated analysis times as a result of the intrinsic advantages of the miniature device and by eliminating the need for sample transport to an on-site or off-site laboratory for testing. Additionally, nanoscale science and engineering have accelerated the development of novel drug delivery systems and led to enhanced control over how a given pharmaceutical is administered, helping biological potential to be transformed into medical reality. In addition to advances in polymer nanotechnology for sensing and recognizing changes in micro-environments, advances have been made concerning tissue regeneration on ceramic and metallic nanomaterials. There has already been some effort on incorporating nanotechnology into orthopedic applications, it is clear that this is only the beginning for the incorporation of nanotechnology into biology.

On looking at the wide areas of applications of very minute nanomaterials, it seems to be very surprising. In the field of biomedicine, its applications are vast. So if a strong attempt is made towards producing these very minute things, it can prove out to be a new revolution avoiding less the efficient conventional methods hence can improve the treatment methods, because, there is nothing called impossible.

1. Introduction:

Biomaterials have received a considerable amount of attention over the last 30 years as a means of treating diseases and easing suffering. The focus of treatment is no longer a conventional pharmaceutical formulation but rather a combination of device-integrated biomaterial and the necessary therapeutic treatment. Biomaterials have found applications in approximately 8000 different kinds of medical devices, which have been used in repairing skeletal systems, returning cardiovascular functionality, replacing organs, and repairing or returning senses. Even though biomaterials have had a pronounced impact in medical treatment, a need still exists to be able to design and develop better polymer, ceramic, and metal systems.

Polymeric biomaterials originated as off-the-shelf materials that clinicians were able to use in solving a problem. However, these materials did not possess the chemical, physical, and biological properties necessary to prevent further complications. Nanotechnology describes, further adds to the ability of chemically tailoring polymeric materials to provide more opportunities for revolutionary breakthroughs in the science and technology associated with developing novel devices. Undoubtedly, nanoscale science and engineering has the potential to have a profound impact on medical science and technology, which will lead to improved diagnostics and enhanced therapeutic methods.

2. Properties:

2.1. STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS

Hydrogel networks are prepared via chemical cross-linking, photopolymerization, or irradiative cross-linking with the behavior of the materials dependent on their equilibrium and dynamic swelling behavior in water.

Various parameters have been employed to define the equilibrium-swelling behavior. The

volume degree of swelling, Q, is the ratio of the actual volume of a sample in the swollen state divided by its volume in the dry state and q, the weight degree of swelling, is the ratio of the weight of the swollen sample to that of the dry sample.

Advances in nanotechnology have afforded the ability to refine further the structure by molecularly engineering the hydrogel to impart a recognitive capacity. Domains within the molecularly designed hydrogel are able to recognize specific molecules through highly select noncovalent interactions between the building blocks of both the hydrogel network and the recognizable molecule.

2.2. SURFACE PROPERTIES :

In addition to the bulk structural characteristics of the biomaterial, the surface plays a key role in the ability of the material to function as designed. A surface provides a low-energy barrier to mobility, a high accessibility for reaction, enhanced reaction turnover rates, and ultimately allows for molecular recognition. Poly ethylene glycol (PEG) has received considerable attention for its use at the biomaterial–host interface to prevent protein fouling. Castner and Ratner list other strategies in addition to PEG that have been employed in biomaterials to prevent protein adsorption. The surface of the material must be designed so as to provide components inherent to the natural wound healing process. This is an important contribution nanotechnology can make to improve biomaterial performance.