Role of MEMS and nanotechnology in medical technologies

Ekansh Nayal(2008A3PS143P)

First of all, what is MEMS ?

MEMS stands for Micro Electro Mechanical Systems.

It is a technique of combining Electrical and Mechanical components together on a chip, to produce a system of miniature dimensions ..

By miniature, we mean dimensions less than the

thickness of human hair !!!!

The wonder called nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is the technology of arranging atoms and

molecules in a material.

This allows to alter the properties of a material and build

structures of desired features.

A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter.

Nanotechnology makes it possible to manufacture devices 80,000

times smaller than the thickness of human hair !!

A simple analogy..

The atoms in an object can be compared to the blocks in a building game.

In a building game, the blocks can be arranged to create different looking structures.

Similarly, atoms can be arranged differently to produce a multitude of devices. This forms the basis of nanotechnology.

Benefits of MEMS and nanotechnology in medical applications

Small volume of reagent samples (like blood), required for analysis.

Low power consumption, hence lasts longer on the same battery.

Less invasive, hence less painful.

Integration permits a large number of systems to be built on a single chip.

Batch processing can lower costs significantly.

Existing IC technology can be used to make these devices.

Silicon, used in most MEMS devices, interferes lesser with body tissues.

Can MEMS devices really replace the existing medical devices ?

A lot of MEMS medical devices have been developed that are much more sensitive and robust than their conventional counterparts.

Market trends for MEMS medical devices show a promising future ahead.

Projected MEMS market share in 2012

Medical 11%

Automotive 17%

Computer 26%

Communictions

21%

Industrial 22%

Consumer 3%

http://www.memsindustrygroup.org/industy_statistics.asp

Classification of biological MEMS devices

Biomedical MEMS – deals “in vivo”, within the host body.

→ precision surgery

→ Biotelemetry

→ Drug delivery

→ Biosensors and other physical sensors

Biotechnology MEMS – deals “in vitro”, with the biological samples obtained from the host body.

→ Diagnostics

→ gene sequencing

→ Drug discover

→ pathogen detection

MEMS Sensors:-

MEMS sensors in the biomedical field maybe used

as:

Critical sensors, used during operations.

Long term sensors for prosthetic devices.

Sensor arrays for rapid monitoring and

diagnosis at home.

MEMS and nanotechnology in

precision surgery

MEMS and endoscopy

What is endoscopy ?

A diagnostic procedure which involves the introduction of a flexible device into the lower or upper gastrointestinal tract for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Conventional endoscopes

Can be used to view only the first

third of the small intestine.

Require sedation of patient

Is an uncomfortable procedure

MEMS redefines endoscopy with “Lab on a Pill”

Size : 35mmComponents of lab on a pill Digital camera (CMOS Technology) Light source Battery Radio transmitter Sensors (MEMS Technology)

Requires no sedation Can show a view of the

entire small intestine Can aid in early detection

of colon cancer

http://www.see.ed.ac.uk/~tbt/norchip2002.pdf

http://www.spie.org/web/oer/august/aug00/cover2.html

Working of this magic pill !

The pill is intended to be swallowed like any normal pill.

Once within the body, the pill's sensors sample body fluids and pick up "meaningful patient data" such as temperature, dissolved oxygen levels and pH.

The pill is expected to retrieve all data over a 12-hour period and disposed off, once excreted.

This data is transmitted wirelessly to a card attached

to the wrist of the individual.

Micro-surgical tools

Present day surgeons operate within a domain restricted by the mobility and control of the surgical tools at hand.

MEMS surgical tools provide the flexibility and accuracy to perform precision surgery.

MEMS driven scalpels

Precise control of the scalpel is an important requirement in any surgery.

MEMS piezoelectric motor help to accurately position the scalpel.

MEMS pressure sensors incorporated on the scalpel, can help to measure the force exerted on the area operated upon. Accordingly, the scalpel can he handled.

http://www.ee.ucla.edu/~jjudy/publications/conference/msc_2000_judy.pdf

MEMS and drug

delivery

MEMS microneedles MEMS enables hundreds of hollow

microneedles to be fabricated on a single patch of area, say a square centimeter.

This patch is applied to the skin and drug is delivered to the body using micropumps.

These micropumps can be electronically controlled to allow specific amounts of the drug and also deliver them at specific intervals.

Microneedles are too small to reach and stimulate the nerve endings, and hence cause no pain to the body.

Smart Pill

A MEMS device that can be implanted in the human body.

Consists of

biosensors

Battery

Control circuitry

Drug reservoirs

The biosensors sense the substance to be measured, say insulin.

Once this quantity falls below a certain amount required by the body, the pill releases the drug.

Challenges for MEMS medical sensors

Biocompatibility remains the biggest hurdle for MEMS medical devices.

Life of the device.

Retrieving data out of the device.

Resist drifting along with the body fluids.

Ekansh Nayal (2008A3PS143P)

Conclusion

MEMS can offer new avenues in the field in the field of Medical technology, the only problem being the absence of abundant number of players in the market which is causing cost escalation in the present scenario.

Governments should actively invest in MEMS technology to improve the conditions of medical facilities currently being provided to the people.

MEMS technology requires high initial capital investments hence is generally not in the reach of small private firms. So governments should arrange for the funds required for research.