Sound speed scanning acoustic microscopy for biomedical applications.

Since 1985, we have been developing a scanning acoustic microscope (SAM) system for biomedical use and have been investigating the acoustic properties of various organs and disease states by using this SAM system. In biomedicine, SAM is useful for intraoperative pathological examination, study of low-frequency ultrasonic images, and assessment of biomechanics at a microscopic level. Recently, we have proposed a new concept -- acoustic microscopy -- using a single pulsed wave instead of continuous waves used in conventional SAM systems. In the present study, we compared two systems by measuring the same biological material. The sound speed image obtained by sound speed microscopy corresponded well to that obtained using a conventional SAM system. Lesions with hyaline degeneration showed a lower sound speed when compared with that of normal myocardium. Frequency domain analysis of amplitude and phase by both methods also showed similar characteristics. Although the data acquisition time of one frame was greater than that in conventional SAM, the total time required for calculation was significantly shorter. The SAM system can be applied to intraoperative pathological examination.     

Elastomers for biomedical applications

Current topics in elastomers for biomedical applications are reviewed. Elastomeric biomaterials, such as silicones, thermoplastic elastomers, polyolefin and polydiene elastomers, poly(vinyl chloride), natural rubber, heparinized polymers, hydrogels, polypeptides elastomers and others are described. In addition biomedical applications, such as cardiovascular devices, prosthetic devices, general medical care products, transdermal therapeutic systems, orthodontics, and ophthalmology are reviewed as well. Elastomers will find increasing use in medical products, offering biocompatibility, durability, design flexibility, and favorable performance/ cost ratios. Elastomers will play a key role in medical technology of the future.     

Three-dimensional data visualization and biomedical applications

Three-dimensional data visualization is an important tool in several medical, scientific, and engineering areas. Visualization methods are based on a primitive representational element: contour, surface, or volume. Methods often incorporate options to cut open, see around, or see through structures, and form images in multiple windows or with animation. To visualize and interpret two or three related 3D data sets, composite imaging methods are required. The appropriate method depends on the user needs, application area, and available hardware. Visualization of 3D medical data is described for cranium/face, musculoskeletal systems, spine, intracranial structures, cardiovascular system, and radiation therapy.     

Dendrimers for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications

Dendrimers are a unique class of synthetic macromolecules having a highly branched, three-dimensional, nanoscale architecture with very low polydispersity and high functionality. Structural advantages allow dendrimers to play an important role in the fields of nanotechnology, pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry. This review discusses several aspects of dendrimers, including preparation, dendrimer-drug coupling chemistry, structural models of dendrimer-based drug delivery systems, and physicochemical and toxicological properties.     

Zirconium: biomedical and nephrological applications

Recent years have witnessed a rapid increase in the use of zirconium (Zr)-containing compounds in artificial internal organs. Examples include dental implants and other restorative practices, total knee and hip replacement, and middle-ear ossicular chain reconstruction. In nephrological practice, Zr-containing sorbents have been used in hemofiltration, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and in the design and construction of wearable artificial kidneys. Zr compounds continue to be widely and extensively used in deodorant and antiperspirant preparations. In the public health arena, Zr compounds have been studied or used in controlling phosphorus pollution and in the reclamation of poison and bacteria-contaminated water. Experimental and clinical studies support the general consensus that Zr compounds are biocompatible and exhibit low toxicity. Reports on possible Zr-associated adverse reactions are rare and, in general, have not rigorously established a cause-and-effect relationship. Although publications on the use of Zr compounds have continued to increase in recent years, reports on Zr toxicity have virtually disappeared from the medical literature. Nevertheless, familiarity with, and continued vigilant monitoring of, the use of these compounds are warranted. This article provides an updated review on the biomedical use of Zr compounds.     

Dendrimers for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications

Dendrimers are a unique class of synthetic macromolecules having a highly branched, three-dimensional, nanoscale architecture with very low polydispersity and high functionality. Structural advantages allow dendrimers to play an important role in the fields of nanotechnology, pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry. This review discusses several aspects of dendrimers, including preparation, dendrimer-drug coupling chemistry, structural models of dendrimer-based drug delivery systems, and physicochemical and toxicological properties.     

Bacterial nanocellulose production and biomedical applications

Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is a homopolymer of β-1,4 linked glycose, which is synthesized by Acetobacter using simple culturing methods to allow inexpensive and environmentally friendly small- and large-scale production. Depending on the growth media and types of fermentation methods, ultra-pure cellulose can be obtained with different physio-chemical characteristics. Upon biosynthesis, bacterial cellulose is assembled in the medium into a nanostructured network of glucan polymers that are semitransparent, mechanically highly resistant, but soft and elastic, and with a high capacity to store water and exchange gasses. BNC, generally recognized as safe as well as one of the most biocompatible materials, has been found numerous medical applications in wound dressing, drug delivery systems, and implants of heart valves, blood vessels, tympanic membranes, bones, teeth, cartilages, cornea, and urinary tracts.     

Microminiature transducers for biomedical applications

An overview of some of the basic fabrication processes as applied to microminiature transducer realisation and outline activities within the Microelectronic Section at R.M.I.T. aimed at providing some transducers for biomedical applications is described.     

Single-domain antibodies for biomedical applications

Abstract

Single-domain antibodies are the smallest antigen-binding units of antibodies, consisting either only of one variable domain or one engineered constant domain that solely facilitates target binding. This class of antibody derivatives comprises naturally occurring variable domains derived from camelids and sharks as well as engineered human variable or constant antibody domains of the heavy or light chain. Because of their high affinity and specificity as well as stability, small size and benefit of multiple re-formatting opportunities, those molecules emerged as promising candidates for biomedical applications and some of these entities have already proven to be successful in clinical development.     

Electrospinning polydioxanone for biomedical applications

Polydioxanone (PDS) is a colorless, crystalline, bioabsorbable polymer that was first developed specifically for wound closure sutures. The compatibility, degradation rate, and mechanical properties (including shape memory) of PDS are of interest when considering the design of tissue engineering scaffolds. This research presents the electrospinning of PDS to fabricate unique nanofibrous structures for a variety of biomedical applications. Electrospinning is a polymer processing technique that utilizes an electric field to form fibers from a polymer solution or melt and allows the fabrication of nanofibrous non-woven structures. Results demonstrate the ability to control the fiber diameter of PDS as a function of solution concentrations and the fiber orientation with our prototype electrospinning apparatus. The results also show dependence between the fiber orientation and the elastic modulus, peak stress, and strain to failure of PDS in a uniaxial model.     

Reduction-sensitive polymers and bioconjugates for biomedical applications

Reduction-sensitive biodegradable polymers and conjugates have emerged as a fascinating class of biomedical materials that can be elegantly applied for intracellular triggered gene and drug delivery. The design rationale of reduction-sensitive polymers and conjugates usually involves incorporation of disulfide linkage(s) in the main chain, at the side chain, or in the cross-linker. Reduction-sensitive polymers and conjugates are characterized by an excellent stability in the circulation and in extracellular fluids, whereas they are prone to rapid degradation under a reductive environment present in intracellular compartments such as the cytoplasm and the cell nucleus. This remarkable feature renders them distinct from their hydrolytically degradable counterparts and extremely intriguing for the controlled cytoplasmic delivery of a variety of bioactive molecules including DNA, siRNA, antisense oligonucleotide (asODN), proteins, drugs, etc. This review presents recent advances in the development of reduction-sensitive biodegradable polymers and conjugates, with particular focus on the up-to-date design and chemistry of various reduction-sensitive delivery systems including liposomes, polymersomes, polymeric micelles, DNA containing nanoparticles, polyion complex micelles, nano- and micro-gels, nanotubes, and multi-layered thin films. It is evident that reduction-sensitive biodegradable polymers and conjugates are highly promising functional biomaterials that have enormous potential in formulating sophisticated drug and gene delivery systems.     

PCL and PCL-based materials in biomedical applications

Abstract

Biodegradable polymers have met with an increasing demand in medical usage over the last decades. One of such polymers is poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), which is a polyester that has been widely used in tissue engineering field for its availability, relatively inexpensive price and suitability for modification. Its chemical and biological properties, physicochemical state, degradability and mechanical strength can be adjusted, and therefore, it can be used under harsh mechanical, physical and chemical conditions without significant loss of its properties. Degradation time of PCL is quite long, thus it is used mainly in the replacement of hard tissues in the body where healing also takes an extended period of time. It is also used at load-bearing tissues of the body by enhancing its stiffness. However, due to its tailorability, use of PCL is not restricted to one type of tissue and it can be extended to engineering of soft tissues by decreasing its molecular weight and degradation time. This review outlines the basic properties of PCL, its composites, blends and copolymers. We report on various techniques for the production of different forms, and provide examples of medical applications such as tissue engineering and drug delivery systems covering the studies performed in the last decades.     

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS): an overview of recent progress and future potential for biomedical applications

The recent progress made in developing laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has transformed LIBS from an elemental analysis technique to one that can be applied for the reagentless analysis of molecularly complex biological materials or clinical specimens. Rapid advances in the LIBS technology have spawned a growing number of recently published articles in peer-reviewed journals which have consistently demonstrated the capability of LIBS to rapidly detect, biochemically characterize and analyse, and/or accurately identify various biological, biomedical or clinical samples. These analyses are inherently real-time, require no sample preparation, and offer high sensitivity and specificity. This overview of the biomedical applications of LIBS is meant to summarize the research that has been performed to date, as well as to suggest to health care providers several possible specific future applications which, if successfully implemented, would be significantly beneficial to humankind.     

纳米材料的研究进展及其在生物医学中的应用

纳米材料和纳米技术是八十年代以来兴起的一个崭新的领域，随着研究的深入和技术的发展，纳米材料开始与许多学科相互交叉、渗透，显示出巨大的潜在应用价值，并且已经在一些领域获得了初步的应用。本文主要介绍了纳米材料的一些基本概念和特性，并对纳米陶瓷材料、纳为碳材料、纳米高分子材料、微乳液以及纳米复合材料等在生物医学领域中的研究进展和研究进展和应用做了综述。