Modified Porous Silicon
AION's primary platform technology is a modified form of nano-structured porous silicon (mpSi™). mpSi™ retains key properties of silicon and is specifically engineered for in-vivo hybrid imaging. mpSi™ can be engineered to remain in-situ or degrade at a controlled rate.
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4 weeks |  | Scanning electronmicrograph of in vivo degradation of porous silicon, performed within subcutaneous tissue. |
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Unique properties of porous silicon
1 - Porous silicon is a naturally derived essential trace element
Silicon is the second most abundant element, making up 28% of the earth's crust. pSi breaks down into silicic acid, a naturally occurring substance in everyday food and water.
Its natural derivative, porous silicon, has demonstrated biocompatibility in humans and animals. pSi breaks down into silicic acid, a naturally occurring substance in everyday food and water.
2 - Controlled biodegradation
Careful engineering of silicon results in the production of porous silicon particles with varying pore size, shape and structure, factors which control the rate of breakdown, or biodegradability, of porous silicon inside the body. This process can be tailored to range anywhere from seconds to years.
3 - Safety profile
Porous silicon has been demonstrated to be non-toxic for use in the body, possessing a low risk of allergic reaction or inflammation.
4 - Imageable
Porous silicon has been proven visible across the four major imaging modalities of ultrasound, x-ray, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is also fluorescent and luminescent across a wide spectrum, including both near-infrared and ultraviolet light, giving AION a key advantage in the multi-application ability of its product candidates.
5 - Flexibility of manufacture
Porous silicon is micromachinable. It can be manipulated into a wide range of shapes and forms, and can be finely engineered to suit medical requirements. It is able to be manufactured to create a range of complex and flexible forms such as fibres that can be woven into mesh, and can be used to coat standard medical fabrics. mpSi™ retains the semiconductor properties of elemental silicon.
6 - Scale up
Silicon has a proven history of manufacturing with over 40 years experience in the electronics industry. It is also abundantly available meaning raw materials are simple and inexpensive to obtain.
