Novel Applications for Nanofiber Technology

The Challenge: Identify a human disease or condition for which nanofibers could be used to provide a novel and significant advantage over current methods of treatment. The Seeker has a preference for creative applications that pertain to the scaffolding properties of nanofibers or to the delivery of drugs topically (e.g. sublingual, skin, ophthalmic, etc.) and locally (e.g. tumor, fibrotic tissue, heart, lung, etc.). The use of nanofibers in cosmetics or animal health is not acceptable and is not within the scope of this Challenge. The Solution: Producing artificial pancreas made up of titanium, using 3D printing and nanofibers for the sake of implants in diabetic patients. Introduction: Nanofibers are defined as fibers with diameters less than 100 nanometers. They can be produced by electro spinning, interfacial polymerization, antisolvent-induced polymer precipitation and electrostatic spinning. Out of these electrospinning is the conventional method and is used avidly. It is the process of spinning fibers with the help of electrostatic forces. The following diagram shows the process in detail. The electrospinning process uses a high voltage electric field to produce electrically charged jets from polymer solution, which on drying by means of evaporation of the solvent produce nanofibers. Nanofibers are used in many novel applications, like medical filtration, prosthetics and implants, drug development, tissue engineering and so on. Rationale behind the solution: The main motive behind the idea generation is the increasing number of diabetic patients across the world. According to The World Health Organization, the total count of patients suffering from diabetes is around 347 million and is estimated to double for the year ending 2030. The solution focuses on the development of artificial pancreas, using nanofibers, for secreting insulin in the body. Solution to the Challenge: For many diabetic patients, using insulin has become the only source for a healthy life. But this process is very painful and tedious. So there is our solution which intends to help the diabetic patients wherein they can just get new islets implanted in their body which secretes the desired insulin. The pancreatic cells detect glucose and release insulin into the diabetic patient. This sounds simple, but there are a series of tedious processes which go under it. The original source of solution is taken by the research paper done by the Joseph. P. Kennedy, professor of chemistry at University of Akron. According to him pancreas can be created and can be used in implants. We in our solution, try to combine 3D printing with the production of pancreatic cells which are then electro spun by the novel nanofibers. The process is segmented into various steps; the first one being the production of artificial pancreas. To produce artificial pancreas, we use EOSINT M 3D printer, manufactured by EOS gmbH, which can build titanium parts in 30 micron layers by melting fine metal powder with a laser beam. A titanium tube, no longer than 8 cm can be printed using this printer. This tube is perforated with laser-cut hexagonal holes. Once the tube is ready, the next step is to coat it with nanofibers. Nanofibers are coated on the tube using the conventional method of electrospinning. Electrospinning uses an electrical charge to draw the micro or nano scale fibers from a liquid. Electrospinning shares characteristics of both electrospraying and conventional solution dry spinning of fibers. The process does not require the use of coagulation chemistry or high temperatures to produce solid threads from solution. This makes the process particularly suited to the production of fibers using large and complex molecules. Electrospinning from molten precursors is also practiced; this method ensures that no solvent can be carried over into the final product.

Titanium mesh with electrospun Nanofiber

Once the titanium tube is electrospun by nanofibers, it is ready for use. This device is different because its polymer membrane has been designed to have the optimal properties for encapsulating islets. Also the pores I the nanofibers are so small that they resist any bacteria or fungi to attack the mesh, at the same time the pores are big enough to secrete insulin to the body. This way, the tube is protected by various harmful organisms. The polymer can also sequester oxygen from the environment because of its silicone-based components. This oxygen nourishes the encapsulated islets cells. These membranes are biocompatible, flexible, transparent, autoclavable, and they're easily synthesized and relatively inexpensive. The reason they are inexpensive is because we can use 3D printers to print the titanium tubes. The cost is comparatively less than the conventional method of producing artificial implants. The 3D printing market is already advanced with various innovations and R&D happening. Shortcoming /Limitations (if any): The only short coming, this technology may pose is the time span till which these materials can be compatible with the human body. Conclusion: The device acts as both a glucose sensor and an insulin delivery device.  It delivers exactly the needed amount of insulin. People with type 1 diabetes around 2 million in the U.S. alone make up the primary market for the device; it could also be useful for the some 4 million patients with type 2 diabetes who inject insulin to control their blood sugar levels. On the whole this solution finds use in a novel application and would help serve the diabetic patients around the world, at a minimal cost. About Us:  IndustryARC is a research and consulting firm that publishes more than 20 reports every month in various industries, such as Agriculture, Automotive, Automation & Instrumentation, Chemicals and Materials, Energy and Power, Electronics, Food & Beverages, Information Technology, Life sciences & Healthcare. Contact us to find out how we can help you today.