Brain surgery is a daunting prospect, and any advancement that can limit or even eliminate time spent on the operating table represents a game-changer. In a groundbreaking development, scientists have discovered a method to precisely deliver life-saving drugs to the brain through minimally invasive medical procedures, significantly reducing risks.
Brain aneurysms claim the lives of approximately 500,000 people globally each year. A team of international scientists, including researchers from the University of Edinburgh, has developed miniature robots that can treat brain aneurysms more safely and accurately than traditional methods. As reported by Live Science, these micro-robots measure just 295 nanometers in diameter, making them one-fifth the size of a human red blood cell. To put this in perspective, the typical virus is about 100 nanometers, while most bacteria are around 1000 nanometers in size.
Designing the Nanorobots
The research team designed nanorobots with magnetic cores, coated their surfaces with thrombin, a clotting agent used by doctors to treat aneurysms. A protective coating on the nanorobots melts at a specific temperature, thereby controlling the release of the drug. Scientists then use another magnetic field to heat the nanorobots, carefully regulating the process to maintain temperatures below 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius) to avoid damaging the delicate brain tissue.
Laboratory Testing
In laboratory tests, doctors injected billions of these micro-robots into the arteries and guided them to the aneurysm site using magnetic fields and medical imaging technology. A team that includes clinical doctors from Shanghai’s Sixth People’s Hospital successfully tested the nanorobots in laboratory models and a small group of rabbits.
The scientists artificially induced aneurysms in the rabbits’ carotid arteries, which are the main blood vessels supplying the brain and head. After the surgery, they monitored the subjects for two weeks and found that the treated aneurysms displayed stable clot formation. These therapeutic clots did not impede overall blood flow to the brain but precisely sealed the weakened area of the vessel.
A New Frontier in Medicine
Dr. Qi Zhou, co-leader of the study and a researcher at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Engineering, said, Nanorobots are set to open up new frontiers in medicine, potentially allowing us to perform surgical repairs with lower risks and to accurately target drugs in hard-to-reach areas of the body.
Advantages Over Traditional Treatments
Compared to existing treatments for brain aneurysms, the nanorobot approach offers several advantages. Traditional methods involve threading a microcatheter through the blood vessels and inserting metal coils or stents. This method is both time-consuming and risky, with potential complications including body rejection and serious side effects from the anticoagulant drugs required. The nanorobot approach means doctors can avoid lengthy, high-risk invasive surgeries that require opening the skull.
Further Research Needed
While these results are promising, further research is necessary before doctors can use this technology in human patients. The research team plans to conduct broader animal trials and improve control systems to guide the nanorobots deeper into brain aneurysms. The rabbit trials were performed at a shallow depth to demonstrate the feasibility of the method.
Potential for Treating Other Diseases
The study also concludes that the technology has the potential to treat other diseases. The researchers have developed nanorobots that can clear blood clots, which could provide treatment for stroke patients.
In conclusion, the development of these miniature magnetic nanorobots represents a significant leap forward in the treatment of brain aneurysms. With their precision and safety, they offer hope for a future where brain surgery is less invasive and more effective, potentially saving countless lives.
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