Nanoprobe (device)

For the fictional Borg device in the Star Trek universe, see Nanoprobe (Star Trek).

A nanoprobe is an optical device developed by tapering an optical fiber to a tip measuring 100 nm = 1000 angstroms wide.

Nanoprobe at the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory.

Nanoprobes can be used in bioimaging to provide improved contrast and spatial resolution of cells and tissues.^[1] Types of nanoprobes used for bioimaging include fluorescence, chemiluminescence, and photoacoustic imaging.^[1]

Introduction to Raman Scattering

When light interacts with matter, a phenomenon known as Raman scattering^[2] occurs, which provides important information about the vibrational frequencies of the sample. This phenomenon happens when a sample's molecules interact with incident light, scattering it. Every material has a different Raman spectrum because of the information the scattered light has about the vibrational modes of the constituent molecules.

Raman scattering: The reflection of light from a laser-lit object.

A very thin coating of silver nanoparticles helps to enhance the Raman scattering effect of the light. (The phenomenon of light reflection from an object when illuminated by a laser light is referred to as Raman scattering.) The reflected light demonstrates vibration energies unique to each object (samples in this case), which can be characterized and identified.

Silver nanoparticles

1. Silver nanoparticles^[3] have attracted significant attention due to their chemical stability, high conductivity, localized surface plasmon resonance, and catalytic activity.
2. The silver nanoparticles in this technique provides for the rapid oscillations of electrons, adding to vibration energies, and thus enhancing Raman Scattering—commonly known as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS).
3. These SERS nanoprobes produce higher electromagnetic fields enabling higher signal output—eventually resulting in accurate detection and analysis of samples.

Enhanced signal output

The term nanoprobe also refers more generically to any chemical or biological technique that deals with nanoquantitles, that is, introducing or extracting substances measured in nanoliters or nanograms rather than microliters or micrograms. For example:

• Introducing nanoparticles in aqueous solution to serve as nanoprobes in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry^[4]
• Extracting nanoquantities of neurochemicals via in vivo microdialysis^[5]
• Using gold-based metallic nanoprobes for Theranostics (therapeutic diagnostics)^[6]

In semiconductor manufacturing, nanoprobing is showing potential for conventional IC failure analysis and debugging, as well as for transistor design, circuit, and process development, and even for yield engineering.^[7]

Use of nanoprobe in the detection of diabetes

Nanotechnology solutions can be used in the diagnosis and early treatment of diabetes. There are two types of diabetes: type 1^[8] and type 2.^[8] Regular checking of blood glucose involves a painful mechanism by piercing the finger. Still, New nanotechnology innovations have made it possible to check blood sugar non-invasively, leading to the early detection of diabetes.^[9] Nanoprobe devices have improved the insulin monitoring system, which is necessary for diabetes management, gene therapy and Islet cell screening, pre-transplantation.^[9]

There are two primary methods for enhancing glucose sensors with nanotechnology

• Nano-enhanced Glucose Sensors:^[10]
  1. Two main ways to make glucose sensors better with nanotech.
  2. First way: Use regular sensor parts but add tiny nanostructured stuff.
  3. Advantages: Bigger surface area means faster response and better activity.
  4. If used for continuous monitoring, may face similar issues to current sensors like fouling and shorter lifespan due to immune response.
• Nanoscale Sensor Fabrication:^[10]
  1. Second way: Make sensors super small in all dimensions.
  2. Advantages: Can be injected, easier to use.
  3. Might last longer as they're less likely to trigger the body's immune response.
  4. But, they're quite different from current sensors and need more testing before they're ready for patients.

See also

• Breakthrough Starshot