Carbon Nanotubes Contribution to Medical Technology

Leah Ramontja^*
*Correspondence: Faculty of Chemistry. Leah Ramontja, Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa, Email:

Introduction

Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) are fibrous carbon materials with a cylindrical shape of nanometer order in diameter (10-9 m), formed from a rolled graphene sheet with a honeycomb of benzene rings in the same plane. The miniaturisation of medical equipment, the creation of electronic systems, and the emergence of nanotools with the ability to interact with the human body and monitor these complicated interactions are the primary benefactors of nanotubes. The use of strong wire materials like carbon nanotubes, for example, aids in the miniaturisation and stabilisation of biosensors. Carbon nanotube structures form a friendly support for the biological substrate and act as a very precise partner in biochemical interactions due to their small size and vast possibilities for chemical functionalization. CNTs open the door to new techniques in medicine and pave the path for nanomedicine because of all of these possibilities [1].

Description

Functionalization of carbon nanotubes

Because of their small size, chemical inertness, and unique electrical and mechanical capabilities, CNTs appear to provide the ideal foundation for miniature implanted devices. However, the challenge of integrating nanotubes into biological systems may stymie the ever-expanding applications of nanotubes in biology and medicine. The lack of solubility of nanotubes in aqueous circumstances is an issue in this scenario. CNT functionalization, which produces new activities and hence favours the coupling of nanotube features with those of other materials such as biologic molecules or functional polymers, is one technique to circumvent this constraint, making nanotubes more adaptable to integrated systems. Furthermore, surface functionalization is critical in the development of improved materials for biosensors and probes that have good bulk and acceptable surface specificity. As a result, notable results for covalent and noncovalent chemistry have been reported for nanotube tips and sidewall modification. The first is used to make chemically sensitive proximal probe tips, while the second is a diverse method for inducing surface specific interactions [2,3]. The incorporation of nanotube structures in biological assemblies, for example, allows for the production of complex architecture in organic systems.

The use of carbon nanotubes in cancer therapy

Finding the lesion and achieving complete cure are the most critical aspects in cancer therapy. For early detection, a variety of approaches have been developed, including imaging tests (Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and the use of tumour markers. However, identifying all tumours in the subclinical stage is challenging, and many cases are discovered only after they are deadly. The electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties of CNTs are likely to be effective for early diagnosis by identifying chemicals linked with early cancer cells, which will help to ameliorate the situation. Furthermore, functionalized carbon nanotubes can pass through cell membranes via biological mechanisms like endocytosis, which allows materials to enter cells. By using peptides and/or ligands on CNTs that selectively bind to receptors, it may be able to target these molecules exclusively to cancer cells through this technique. CNTs have the ability to meet these needs. An ideal Drug Delivery System (DDS) can deliver the required amount of material to the target site at the right time. CNTs are expected to be effective in gene therapy as well [4,5].

Artificial muscles and actuator

An actuator material must be able to work in a specific way in order to successfully replicate the natural muscle in an artificial muscle that is equivalent to a biological muscle. Anisotropic behaviour characterised by contraction-elongation along the fibre axis, high energy density, rapid speed and reaction, and a big stroke are some of the traits that identify genuine muscles. The actuation behaviour of the nanotube is caused by its excellent electrical and mechanical capabilities, as well as its large surface area and nonfaradaic electrochemical response. When a current of a few volts is given to the nanotube actuators, they perform high strain per movement and generate larger mechanical stress than any other material. The nanotube serves as an active material and one of the electrodes in this type of actuator, which is submerged in an electrolytic solution or a solid polymer electrolyte [1,2].

Regenerative medicine

The use of artificially produced cells and tissues to regenerate diseased or injured organs and tissues is referred to as regenerative medicine. Since the initial publication of induced Pluripotent Stem cells, this has become a hot topic of research. Because tissues are driven to create by cells, genes, and proteins such as cytokines and growth factors, it is critical to introduce a proper scaffold. Chondrocytic adhesion and cartilage regeneration have been demonstrated using CNT/polycarbonate urethane composite films. Collagen combined with carbon nanotubes increases the characteristics of the scaffold. CNTs have been shown to successfully increase neurogenic cell differentiation by embryonic stem cells, in addition to the studies described above [2].

Neural biomaterial made of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)

Electrical signals can be applied and monitored in brain tissues using neural prosthesis. The development of systems that restore nerve function is not solely a matter of neuroscience, medicine, or engineering; new possibilities emerge at the intersection of all three fields, necessitating the employment of modern biomaterials. Carbon nanotubes offer remarkable electrical characteristics that have been demonstrated to be effective in neural prosthetics. They devised ways for cultivating embryonic rat-brain neurons on MWNT using nanotubes with sizes similar to tiny nerve fibres. Neurite development with considerable branching was enhanced by chemically modified MWNT covered with 4-hydroxynonenal bioactive molecules. The similarity in diameter between nanotubes and neurites (varying from 1 nm for SWNT to 10–100 nm for MWNT) favours concentrated molecular interactions, which are required for the creation of a neural circuit. Nanotubes are also a good candidate for electrophysiological investigation of neuronal micro circuits because of their conductivity. It is well understood that brain development is based on a complicated phenomenon that includes, among other things, neurite outgrowth [4].

Conclusion

Because of their unique properties, CNTs are currently being investigated for use as DDS, biosensors, and other applications, and are expected to be beneficial in medical applications. CNTs have been used in innovative medical composites and scaffolds for regenerative medicine due to their remarkable biocompatibility with tissues, notably bone tissues. When it comes to medical applications, the most critical factor to consider is safety. Although the findings of various evaluations have been published, there is still a lack of qualitative and quantitative data on their safety.

Acknowledgement

None.

Conflict of Interest

The author reported no potential conflict of interest.

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