System and methods for collective nanorobotics for medical applications

• US 20080241264A1
• Filed: 11/13/2007
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Solomon Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Solomon Research LLC
• Inventors: Solomon, Neal
• Application Number:
  US11/985,046
• Publication Number:
  US 20080241264A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/490
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/416 the spleen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/00 Other apparatus for introducing media into the body for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin salt baths A61H33/04
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 10/00 Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 3/002 Biomolecular computers, i.e. using biomolecules, proteins, cells using DNA G06N3/123; using neurons G06N3/061
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/60 relating to pathologies

Abstract

The invention discloses the use of collectives of nanorobots (CNRs) for medical applications. CNRs are used (a) to map the human body, (b) to regulate the cardio-vascular system, (c) for insulin regulation, (d) for targeted drug delivery, (e) for diagnosis of cellular pathologies and (f) for destroying tumor cells.

Claims

1. A system for managing automated collective nanorobots (CNRs), comprising:

A plurality of nanorobots, each nanorobot including program code configured to communicate and exchange information with other nanorobots;

Wherein CNRs are injected into a patient;

Wherein the CNRs congregate at specific tissue sites to await information about mission parameters with new goals;

Wherein the CNRs target and mark specific cells with tags for eventual intervention;

Wherein the CNRs map cellular differentiation and compare the results of a particular mapping sequence with general human anatomy and physiology maps to identify aberrations of a particular patient;

Wherein the CNRs migrate to specific cellular locations while the mapping process is recorded;

Wherein the CNRs transmit mapping data to an external computer; and

Wherein the external computer analyzes the data to identify specific cellular dysfunctions and to recommend specific interventions.

2. A system of claim 1:

Wherein CNRs are injected into a patient'"'"'s arteries;

Wherein the CNRs identify arterial plaque depositions;

Wherein the CNRs map out the arterial system by creating detailed maps;

Wherein the CNRs deliver drugs to specific locations to reduce the arterial plaque depositions;

Wherein the CNRs abrasively remove arterial plaque deposits;

Wherein the CNRs continually report to an external computer with diagnostic feedback on their progress toward achieving their goal of reducing plaque; and

Wherein as a result of these interventions the patient'"'"'s arterial plaque is reduced.

3. A system for managing automated collective nanorobots (CNRs), comprising:

A plurality of nanorobots, each nanorobot including program code configured to communicate and exchange information with other nanorobots;

Wherein the CNRs are self-organized to emulate a human pancreas;

Wherein the CNRs chemically process a patient'"'"'s blood by modulating the blood sugar;

Wherein the CNRs divide into separate groups to emulate Alpha cells, Beta cells, Delta cells and polypeptide cells to create an artificial environment of the isles of Langerhans;

Wherein the CNRs use insulin, glucagon, somatastatin and polypeptides to emulate the paracrine feedback system to regulate blood sugar;

Wherein the CNRs conducts a glycation process of treating blood sugar;

Wherein nanorobots in the CNRs communicate with other nanorobots in the network to share information on the glycation process.

4. A system for managing automated collective nanorobots (CNRs), comprising:

A plurality of nanorobots, each nanorobot including program code configured to communicate and exchange information with other nanorobots;

Each nanorobot having an inner hull to carry a cargo of chemicals;

Each nanorobot having a doped outer hull to penetrate cellular membranes;

The nanorobots possessing mobility;

Wherein the CNR delivers nanocargoes to cells;

Wherein the CNR coordinates the network behavior of the collective to maximize the delivery of chemicals to specific cells using traveling salesman optimization algorithms;

Wherein the CNR is launched from a platform installed in a patient;

Wherein the CNR launches from the platform to deliver a chemical cargo and returns to the platform to receive a refill of chemicals; and

Wherein the CNR is installed in a virus to deliver a cargo to targeted cells.

5. A system of claim 4:

Wherein a CNR installed in the compartment of a stent is placed in a patient'"'"'s arteries;

Wherein the CNR is activated to perform a function of delivering chemicals to cells;

Wherein the CNR is activated to remove arterial plaque in a specific sequence, with the highest priority blockage targeted initially and then the lower priority targets;

Wherein the CNR returns to the compartment in the stent when a mission is completed;

Wherein the CNR is time-released to perform different tasks;

Wherein the CNR is used to filter chemicals, cells, proteins and antigens from a position on the stent; and

Wherein the chemicals in the reservoir in the compartment in the stent are surgically replenished in endoscopic procedure.

6. A system of claim 4:

Wherein the CNRs identify the metastases of specific tumors;

Wherein the CNRs patrol specific tumors for metastases;

Wherein the CNRs identify the cells that receive the metastases from tumors;

Wherein the CNRs block the original tumors from spreading cancer cells to other tissues;

Wherein the CNRs identify and destroy the tumor cells that are spread to non-originating tissues;

Wherein the CNRs destroy the tumor cells by engulfing and rupturing them;

Wherein the CNRs transfer information about the mission to an external database for analysis; and

Wherein the CNRs target and tag the metastases to identify the metastases for immune system T cells.

7. A system of claim 4:

Wherein the CNRs access an implanted radioactive chemical supply;

Wherein the CNRs load the radioactive chemical supply into an inner cargo hold of the nanorobots;

Wherein the CNRs identify tumor cells;

Wherein the CNRs enter the tumor cells and disgorge the radioactive chemical inside the tumor cells;

Wherein the CNRs depart the tumor cells and return to obtain more radioactive chemicals; and

Wherein the tumor cells are destroyed.