Following on from Lisa’s last post, Japanese scientists have discovered that carbon nanotubes could also help to speed up the recovery of broken bones.
Carbon nanotubes placed in contact with damaged bones were found to not only help to regenerate bone tissue, but to also reduce inflammation during healing. Measurements taken as the new bone was forming revealed that the carbon nanotubes become integrated into the bone matrix and appear to act as a starting point for new bone tissue to begin to grow. When the nanotubes were used in conjunction with a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), commonly used to facilitate bone regrowth, the production of new bone material was also accelerated even further.
Conventional methods for treating broken bones is a lengthy process, that involves weeks of cast or splint wearing for the patient. The new technology could lead to much faster healing processes for those who experience broken bones.
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