AFM and Cell Staining to Assess the In Vitro Biocompatibility of Opaque Surfaces

Abstract

Although many current biomedical devices have been able to assist millions of people, there are still many critical needs to be addressed. Many individuals need constant diagnostics, controlled and targeted delivery of drugs, or even the replacement of motor and sensory functions. Many of the current biomedical systems that perform these functions are large, non-transportable, cumbersome or, more importantly, they cannot be in contact with the body for extended amounts of time. One solution is to utilize micro-electromechanical machines, or MEMS. With the same processes used to create computer chips, we can now generate a variety of micron sized machines which are designed to deliver drugs, detect physiological changes, and even electrically interface with cells. These micron to nanometer sized devices can potentially be implanted into the body with minimal invasiveness. There is, however, a very important issue which in turn needs to be addressed before their widespread clinical use can come to realization.