Search Results (5)

Introduction: In the context of the current opioid crisis, non-pharmacologic approaches to pain management have been considered important alternatives to the use of opioids or analgesics. Advancements in nano and quantum technology have led to the development of several nanotransporters, including nanoparticles, micelles, quantum dots, liposomes, nanofibers, and nano-scaffolds. These modes of nanotransporters have led to the development of new drug formulations. In pain medicine, new liposome formulations led to the development of DepoFoam™ introduced by Pacira Pharmaceutical, Inc. (Parsippany, NJ, USA). This formulation is the base of DepoDur™, which comprises a combination of liposomes and extended-release morphine, and Exparel™, which comprises a combination of liposomes and extended-release bupivacaine. In 2021, Heron Therapeutics (San Diego, CA, USA) created Zynrelef™, a mixture of bupivacaine and meloxicam. Advancements in nanotechnology have led to the development of devices/patches containing millions of nanocapacitors. Data suggest that these nanotechnology-based devices/patches reduce acute and chronic pain. Methods: Google and PubMed searches were conducted to identify studies, case reports, and reviews of medical nanotechnology applications with a special focus on acute and chronic pain. This search was based on the use of keywords like nanotechnology, nano and quantum technology, nanoparticles, micelles, quantum dots, liposomes, nanofibers, nano-scaffolds, acute and chronic pain, and analgesics. This review focuses on the role of nanotechnology in acute and chronic pain. Results: (1) Nanotechnology-based transporters. DepoDur™, administered epidurally in 15, 20, or 25 mg single doses, has been demonstrated to produce significant analgesia lasting up to 48 h. Exparel™ is infiltrated at the surgical site at the recommended dose of 106 mg for bunionectomy, 266 mg for hemorrhoidectomy, 133 mg for shoulder surgery, and 266 mg for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Exparel™ is also approved for peripheral nerve blocks, including interscalene, sciatic at the popliteal fossa, and adductor canal blocks. The injection of Exparel™ is usually preceded by an injection of plain bupivacaine to initiate analgesia before bupivacaine is released in enough quantity from the depofoarm to be pharmacodynamically effective. Finally, Zynrelef™ is applied at the surgical site during closure. It was initially approved for open inguinal hernia, abdominal surgery requiring a small-to-medium incision, foot surgery, and TKA. (2) Nanotechnology-based devices/patches. Two studies support the use of nanocapacitor-based devices/patches for the management of acute and chronic pain. A randomized study conducted on patients undergoing unilateral primary total knee (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) provided insight into the potential value of nanocapacitor-based technology for the control of postoperative acute pain. The results were based on 2 studies, one observational and one randomized. The observational study was conducted in 128 patients experiencing chronic pain for at least one year. This study suggested that compared to baseline, the application of a nanocapacitor-based Kailo™ pain relief patch on the pain site for 30 days led to a time-dependent decrease in pain and analgesic use and an increase in well-being. The randomized study compared the effects of standard of care treatment to those of the same standard of care approach plus the use of two nanocapacitor-based device/patches (NeuroCuple™ device) placed in the recovery room and kept in place for three days. The study demonstrated that the use of the two NeuroCuple™ devices was associated with a 41% reduction in pain at rest and a 52% decrease in the number of opioid refills requested by patients over the first 30 days after discharge from the hospital. Discussion: For the management of pain, the use of nano-based technology has led to the development of nano transporters, especially focus on the use of liposome and nanocapacitors. The use of liposome led to the development of DepoDur™, bupivacaine Exparel™ and a mixture of bupivacaine and meloxicam (Zynrelef™) and more recently lidocaine liposome formulation. In these cases, the technology is used to prolong the duration of action of drugs included in the preparation. Another indication of nanotechnology is the development of nanocapacitor device or patches. Although, data obtained with the use of nanocapacitors are still limited, evidence suggests that the use of nanocapacitors devices/patches may be interesting for the treatment of both acute and chronic pain, since the studies conducted with the NeuroCuple™ device and the based Kailo™ pain relief patch were not placebo-controlled, it is clear that additional placebo studies are required to confirm these preliminary results. Therefore, the development of a placebo devices/patches is necessary. Conclusions: Increasing evidence supports the concept that nanotechnology may represent a valuable tool as a drug transporter including liposomes and as a nanocapacitor-based device/patch to reduce or even eliminate the use of opioids in surgical patients. However, more studies are required to confirm this concept, especially with the use of nanotechnology incorporated in devices/patches. Full article

Ionic liquids are a potent class of organic compounds exhibiting unique physico-chemical properties and structural compositions that are different from the classical dipolar organic liquids. These molecules have found diverse applications in different chemical, biochemical, biophysical fields, and a number of industrial usages. The ionic liquids-based products and procedural applications are being developed for a number of newer industrial purposes, and academic uses in nanotechnology related procedures, processes, and products, especially in nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine. The current article overviews their uses in different fields, including applications, functions, and as parts of products and processes at primary and advanced levels. The application and product examples, and prospects in various fields of nanotechnology, domains of nanosystem syntheses, nano-scale product development, the process of membrane filtering, biofilm formation, and bio-separations are prominently discussed. The applications in carbon nanotubes; quantum dots; and drug, gene, and other payload delivery vehicle developments in the nanobiotechnology field are also covered. The broader scopes of applications of ionic liquids, future developmental possibilities in chemistry and different bio-aspects, promises in the newer genres of nanobiotechnology products, certain bioprocesses controls, and toxicity, together with emerging trends, challenges, and prospects are also elaborated. Full article

Nanocapacitors have received a great deal of attention in recent years due to the promises of high energy storage density as device scaling continues unabated in the nanoscale era. High energy storage capacity is a key ingredient for many nanoelectronic applications in which the significant consumption of energy is required. The electric properties of a nanocapacitor can be strongly modified from the expected bulk properties due to finite-size effects which means that there is an increased need for the accurate characterization of its properties. In this work, we considered a theoretical model for a circular parallel plate nanocapacitor and calculated exactly, in closed analytic form, the electrostatic energy stored in the nanocapacitor as a function of the size of the circular plates and inter-plate separation. The exact expression for the energy is used to derive an analytic formula for the geometric capacitance of this nanocapacitor. The results obtained can be readily amended to incorporate the effects of a dielectric thin film filling the space between the circular plates of the nanocapacitor. Full article

Molecular motors are microtubule-based proteins which contribute to many cell functions, such as intracellular transportation and cell division. The details of the nature of the mutual interactions between motors and microtubules still needs to be extensively explored. However, electrostatic interaction is known as one of the key factors making motor-microtubule association possible. The association rate of molecular motors to microtubules is a way to observe and evaluate the charge of the bio-motors in vivo. Growing evidence indicates that microtubules with distinct structural compositions in terms of beta tubulin isotypes carry different charges. Therefore, the electrostatic-driven association rate of motors–microtubules, which is a base for identifying the charge of motors, can be more likely influenced. Here, we present a novel method to experimentally confirm the charge of molecular motors in vitro. The offered nanotechnology-based approach can validate the charge of motors in the absence of any cellular components through the observation and analysis of the changes that biomolecular motors can cause on the dynamic of charged microspheres inside a uniform electric field produced by a microscope slide-based nanocapacitor. This new in vitro experimental method is significant as it minimizes the intracellular factors that may interfere the electric charge that molecular motors carry. Full article

In this article nickel interdigital capacitors were fabricated on top of silicon substrates. The capacitance of the interdigital capacitor was optimized by coating the electrodes with a 60 nm layer of HfO₂. An analytical solution of the capacitance was compared to electromagnetic simulations using COMSOL and with experimental measurements. Results show that modeling interdigital capacitors using Finite Element Method software such as COMSOL is effective in the design and electrical characterization of these transducers. Full article