© 2003 Robert A. Freitas Jr. All Rights Reserved.

Robert A. Freitas Jr., Nanomedicine, Volume IIA: Biocompatibility, Landes Bioscience, Georgetown, TX, 2003

15.5.2 Histopenetration and Perforation

Some medical nanorobots must be able to cross the epithelial barriers of skin and gut (Section 15.5.2.1), penetrate the vascular endothelium (Section 15.5.2.2), and migrate through tissues (Section 15.5.2.3) without introducing microbial flora and without causing edema, bruising, or other injury related to mechanical trauma. Various bacteria, neutrophils, fibroblasts and macrophages often make such journeys, usually without incident. It is also important to avoid tissue injury that might result in the sensitization of nociceptors, exposing the patient to the possible development of hyperalgesia [5450].

Last updated on 30 April 2004