Published in WIREs Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology, the review titled, “Breast implants: the good, the bad and the ugly. Can nanotechnology improve implants?” explains how nanotechnology can be used to develop safer implants.
Dr Judit E Puskas developing an alternative material for breast implants
Researchers at the University of Akron are currently developing a new material to develop safer breast implants using nanotechnology, which will minimize the complications associated with silicon rubber implants.
Silicon rubber implants is the only option available to the 75% of post-mastectomy patients who undergo breast augmentation and reconstruction. Complications such as psychological disease, systemic disease and cancer attributed to breast implants using silicone rubber are high and these implants have a high failure rate of 20-30%.
The review’s lead author, Dr Judit E Puskas and her team of researchers have determined that by decreasing the components present in the nanostructured materials, it is possible to achieve certain properties. The researchers are developing a nanostructured material that can be used as an alternative to silicon rubber.
Dr Puskas stated that the material could be used in developing implants capable of delivering drugs. Thus, apart from reducing complications, the distribution of cancer drugs could improve the treatment’s efficacy and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.