Jul-30-14
Researchers have developed a magnetic nanoparticle that could improve treatment for acute strokes by stirring and shaking blood clots.
The nanoparticles (known as 'nanomotors') are intended to supplement the current stroke treatment drug t-PA, which works by thinning blood clots. According to Yiping Zhao, professor of physics at UGA, the nanomotors assist the t-PA by acting like "stirring bars to drive t-PA to the site of the clot," where they then function like a mixer to further break up the blood clots already thinned by t-PA.
According to early studies, the nanomotors can enhance the t-PA treatment by twofold, which allows less of the t-PA drug to be administered. And since t-PA has the side effect of a hemorrhage risk, using less of the drug helps to alleviate that danger.
Thumbnail image: blood clot
More Info about this Invention:
[
IEEE.ORG]
[
NEWS.UGA.EDU]
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