Advanced medical applications that combine biology and electronics

In a recent publication, the advancements in medical technology that merge biology with electronics were highlighted. One notable innovation is a wireless silicon crystal monitor that can be used like an "OK stretcher" and disposed of after use. Another chip is expected to be the first commercial artificial retina, while a waveform-measuring component can be deeply embedded in the brain. These breakthroughs were discussed at the International Solid State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) in San Francisco, reinforcing the belief that biology will soon become a major frontier for electronic applications. Mark McDermott, a researcher at the University of Texas, emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary learning, advising engineers to study both electrical engineering and natural sciences. He noted that more engineers are showing interest in medical fields, having previously worked at Freescale and Intel. Arto Nurmikko, a professor at Brown University, described brain implant designs that integrate electronics, optics, and anatomy, calling it a highly interdisciplinary field involving computer science, engineering, biology, and precision mechanics. Chris Van Hoof from IMEC also highlighted the growing interaction between silicon technology and the human body. Looking ahead, patients could soon use wireless wearable sensors without needing regular hospital visits. Hyung Kyu Lim, CEO of Samsung Advanced Technology Research Institute, mentioned that healthcare equipment and service robots are emerging consumer products. However, these systems are complex and costly due to the need for advanced machine intelligence. Toumaz Technology introduced a custom chip that turns a wireless monitor into a disposable sticker, enabling home-based medical monitoring. Alison Burdett, technical director at Toumaz, pointed out that the aging population and lack of healthy lifestyles are increasing the burden on global health systems. A U.S. healthcare company is reportedly collaborating with Toumaz to launch a silicon-based medical patch by the end of 2009, with companies like GE and Philips also exploring similar projects. To reduce power consumption, Toumaz developed hardware and protocols for 800MHz–900MHz wireless networks, with low power usage during communication. Customized Media Access Controllers (MACs) are crucial for handling interference in short-range communications, as explained by Burdett. Despite being custom-designed, the patch is expected to cost as little as $5 when launched next year, with most costs coming from assembly rather than silicon itself. The chip can connect to various sensors, such as electrocardiograph, three-axis accelerometer, and blood glucose monitors. It can switch between three sensors and is designed to fit into wearable devices like watches or badges, tracking body temperature and daily health data. Field tests with 200 users showed that even a single sensor can detect subtle lifestyle changes. The monitoring module includes a 32-bit H8S processor operating on a ZigBee network, packaged in a 30cm³ unit. In the realm of implants, Albrecht Rothermel from the University of Ulm introduced a chip that could be the first commercial artificial retina. Developed in collaboration with Retina Implant, the device uses a 1,450-pixel array and 0.8μm technology, with a thickness of just 20μm. It features a wide voltage swing and digital control system, allowing some blind individuals to perceive light. These innovations signal a new era where electronics and biology are increasingly intertwined, shaping the future of healthcare.

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