New Nanoparticles Make Blood Clots Visible
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have reportedly developed a nanoparticle that finds, and displays clots in the vasculature. Today there are many people who go to the hospital complaining of chest pains, but determining if the cause of pain is a heart attack is usually a long, and expensive procedure. This new technology uses a new type of CT scanner to visualize nanoparticles that are sent into the blood stream, and attatch to clots. This advancement allows doctors to visualize the location, size, and severity of the clot non-invasively. This new way of locating plaque will be far superior to the current catheter/dye method.
The nano particle used contains Bismuth, which can be picked up on this new CT scanner, called a spectal CT. The spectal CT allows the use of the full x-ray spectrum, instead of just the black and white usually used. With this new scanner, a nanoparticle will appear a different color in the vasculature.
Bismuth is a toxic heavy metal. So the bismuth is attatched to fatty acid chains, unable to be broken down by the body, protecting us from its harmful effects. The surface of these particals is also coated with a special compound that has a specific binding domain for the protein fibrin (which is found only in clots). These particles are then dissolved in a detergent and then encapsulated into a phospholipid bilayer.
This new technology will do great things in the world of cardiac health. Those at risk can be closely monitored, and identify not only large blockages but also pieces of unstable plaque that have the potential of breaking off. Dr. Gregory Lanza predicts it will create new approaches to treating coronary disease.
While browsing for articles, this particular one stood out because of our design project last semester. I think this is an awesome breakthrough because it allows anyone at risk to be closely monitored. I think it could be part of a routine check up. I can't say that it would necessarily reduce the number of those with coronary complications, because that is very much dependent on lifestyle choices of the individual. However, I think being able to attain a visual picture of someone's coronary health with such ease has the potential to effect the country's lifestyle choices.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110202143802.htm
The nano particle used contains Bismuth, which can be picked up on this new CT scanner, called a spectal CT. The spectal CT allows the use of the full x-ray spectrum, instead of just the black and white usually used. With this new scanner, a nanoparticle will appear a different color in the vasculature.
Bismuth is a toxic heavy metal. So the bismuth is attatched to fatty acid chains, unable to be broken down by the body, protecting us from its harmful effects. The surface of these particals is also coated with a special compound that has a specific binding domain for the protein fibrin (which is found only in clots). These particles are then dissolved in a detergent and then encapsulated into a phospholipid bilayer.
This new technology will do great things in the world of cardiac health. Those at risk can be closely monitored, and identify not only large blockages but also pieces of unstable plaque that have the potential of breaking off. Dr. Gregory Lanza predicts it will create new approaches to treating coronary disease.
While browsing for articles, this particular one stood out because of our design project last semester. I think this is an awesome breakthrough because it allows anyone at risk to be closely monitored. I think it could be part of a routine check up. I can't say that it would necessarily reduce the number of those with coronary complications, because that is very much dependent on lifestyle choices of the individual. However, I think being able to attain a visual picture of someone's coronary health with such ease has the potential to effect the country's lifestyle choices.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110202143802.htm
posted by Foster Horak at 1:47 PM
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