Micro/nanodevices for assessment and treatment in stomatology and ophthalmology

Abstract

Micro/nanodevices have been widely applied for the real-time monitoring of intracellular activities and the delivery of exogenous substances in the past few years. This review focuses on miniaturized micro/nanodevices for assessment and treatment in stomatology and ophthalmology. We first summarize the recent progress in this field by examining the available materials and fabrication techniques, device design principles, mechanisms, and biosafety aspects of micro/nanodevices. Following a discussion of biochemical sensing technology from the cellular level to the tissue level for disease assessment, we then summarize the use of microneedles and other micro/nanodevices in the treatment of oral and ocular diseases and conditions, including oral cancer, eye wrinkles, keratitis, and infections. Along with the identified key challenges, this review concludes with future directions as a small fraction of vast opportunities, calling for joint efforts between clinicians and engineers with diverse backgrounds to help facilitate the rapid development of this burgeoning field in stomatology and ophthalmology.

785-nm Frequency Comb-Based Time-of-Flight Detection for 3D Surface Profilometry of Silicon Devices

“…In particular, a light source with a center wavelength near the visible spectrum is suitable for precise imaging for semiconductor devices due to its shorter penetration depth in the silicon substrate. Since our method is also suitable for imaging the surface of various metallic surfaces as well as semiconductor materials, this can be applied for surface imaging of MEMS devices [35], skin-integrated sensors used in wearable devices [36], and biosensors [37].…”

Modeling Approaches for Fluidic Mass Transport in Next Generation Micro and Nano Biomedical Sensors

“…Micro and nanoscale devices have contributed tremendously to the fields of engineering, biomedical sciences, applied/natural sciences, health care, instrumentation and many more [1]. The significance of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) origins due to the change in properties of atomic and molecular systems that to the classical understanding at such small length scales, and have contributed tremendously to modern research community and industry in many positive aspects [2]- [5].…”

“…The behavior of systems at these scales demonstrated many enhanced functional properties [6], [7] such as thermal conductivity, optical properties, electrical conductivity and many more [7]. Such enhanced behavior has been used in many industrial, health care and technological applications to facilitate, enhanced heat transfer [8], [9], cancer cell detection [1], [2], advanced characterization [10], non-Newtonian fluid flow [11] and functional materials development [12], [13], etc.…”

“…MEMS devices can be entirely based on solid state, solid-liquid state as well as solid-gas conditions [2], [14], [15]. Depending on the application, in solid-liquid and solid-gas MEMS devices, fluid flow, heat transfer and mass transfer can take a significant role in the required process [1], [1], [3]. Therefore, to develop, model and prototype such devices, a broad understanding of fluid flow and mass transfer phenomena is needed.…”

Multimicrochannel Microneedle Microporation Platform for Enhanced Intracellular Drug Delivery

“…Over time, these concerns prompted efforts to revolutionize localized delivery technologies, such as microneedle (MN) and local electrochemotherapy (ECT), [ 7–9 ] with the purpose of enhancing drug accumulation in target site or transporting therapeutics directly into cells. [ 10–12 ] The MN devices, typically based on soluble or hollow needles, [ 7,13–17 ] penetrate barriers (e.g., corneum, adipose tissues) to increase the efficacy of therapeutics, [ 18–20 ] which also allows for drug release at designated depth in deep tissues by adjusting the opening or length of the needles. [ 21,22 ] However, most of these systems were not equipped to provide additional momentum to cargo (i.e., drugs) in the process of release, propagation, or intracellular transport, which limited the locomotion of the cargo that rely only on passive diffusion (PD).…”