Recent Advances, Issues and Patents on Medical Nanorobots

Background: Nanotechnology, as the branch of technology that deals with dimensions and tolerances of less than 100 nanometers, especially the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules, has implications on scientific, medical and economic and legal impacts on society. There are extensive researches in the nanotechnology and these studies have led important discoveries in the area of nanorobotics. Objective: The aim of the paper is to review the recent engineering issues in nanorobots. In this review, we focus on the recent progresses and patents in medical nanotechnology and medical nanorobotics. Method: Studies mainly focus on the level of threat to human life and its economic impact. To limit the number of issues in review, we have chosen studies considering their level of economic implications and socio-technical nature. Results: Recent studies show that remarkable improvements have been achieved in nanorobots to solve powering, control, communication problems and introducing the robot into the living organism.