Nanotechnology for a better human brain
Research conducted by Michigan University have developed a nanotech coating for human brain implants that is capable of give long operational life .
Brain implants are used to aid people suffering from Parkinson’s disease, depression and epilepsy, these implants with newly discovered micro electrodes are capable of communicating with individual neurons and to stimulate brain neurons with electrical impulses. The micro electrodes are also capable of The current devices usually wont last longer, its efficiency deteriorate after few months, but the new nanotechnology aided devices are expected to last at least two years
According to research team the new coating is made of three compounds
- A special electrically conductive nanoscale polymer called PEDOT
- A gel like natural buffer alginate hydrogel
- Nanofibers which is biodegradable, loaded with a controlled release anti inflammatory drug.
PEDOT polymer coating gives less electrical resitance to the micro electrodes which helps them to communicate more clearly with the neurons thus giving a big advantage over the current models.
Alginate hydrogel is capable of giving mechanical property to electrodes which is much similar to natural brain tissue and it is much superior than the current one.
Biodegradable nanofibers fight encapsulation that occurs when the immune system tells the body to envelop foreign materials. Encapsulation is another reason these electrodes can stop functioning properly. The nanofibers fight this response well because they work with the alginate hydrogel to release the anti inflammatory drugs in a controlled, sustained way as the nanofibers themselves break down.
This dicovery is belived to assist the treatment for deafness, paralysis, blindness, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease. Another feather in the cap of nanotechnology and health care.
