Beads

Beads (Medical)

Beads (pronunciation: /biːdz/) are small, often round objects of glass, wood, metal, or similar materials, that are pierced for stringing or threading. In the medical field, beads are used in various applications such as drug delivery systems, bio-separation, and diagnostics.

Etymology

The term "bead" comes from the Old English gebed, meaning "prayer". It is related to the Middle English bede, which also means "prayer". The connection between prayer and beads comes from the use of prayer beads in many cultures.

Medical Applications

Drug Delivery Systems

In the field of Pharmacology, beads are often used in controlled-release drug delivery systems. These systems use beads to encapsulate a drug, allowing it to be released slowly over time. This can improve the effectiveness of the drug and reduce side effects.

Bio-separation

Beads are also used in bio-separation processes. These processes use beads to separate biological materials, such as proteins or DNA, from a mixture. The beads can be coated with a substance that binds to the material of interest, allowing it to be separated from the rest of the mixture.

Diagnostics

In diagnostics, beads can be used in assays to detect the presence of certain substances in a sample. For example, beads can be coated with antibodies that bind to a specific antigen. If the antigen is present in the sample, it will bind to the beads, allowing it to be detected.

Related Terms

• Controlled release
• Pharmacology
• Bio-separation
• Diagnostics

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Beads
• Wikipedia's article - Beads

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