Medical nanotechnology: how small can we go?
Medical devices are becoming more sophisticated and, in common with instrumentation in many other disciplines, are becoming more compact. This article addresses the question of how small these devices need to be for them to have a significant impact on our ability to provide functioning interfaces with tissues. The significance of recent developments in materials and materials fabrication is also highlighted.
Williams
David
D
Department of Clinical Engineering, University of Liverpool. dfw.ce@liverpool.ac.uk
D001709:Biotechnology / Q000639:trends; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000639:trends*; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008832:Microchemistry / Q000639:trends*; D008904:Miniaturization / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000639:trends; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity