Problems in (nano)medical mechanics

•Mathematical (general) problems in biomedical mechanics are discussed.•Simplifications (Simplified Problems, SPs) to these general problems are identified.•Novel perspectives illustrate the significance of SP solutions to diseases (e.g. cancer).•Common characteristics of the problems introduced are discussed.•“Super” General Problems are identified and discussed, for future reference.

Three major biomedical problems in non-linear mechanics are stated, and several sub-problems are derived from simplifications that correspond to substituting model nanotechnology-based systems for their biological counterpart. Strategies for the solutions to these problems are briefly proposed. The medical implications of the solutions to the general and simplified problems are discussed, and perspectives on the deep transformation in health care these solutions would engender are presented.