Biomedical Applications of MEMS
People’s lives have been deeply influenced by MEMS technology. It is constantly evolving, progressing, and expanding the scope of its application. MEMS-based solutions benefit not only large industrial enterprises and small businesses but also the healthcare sector. What do you know about the use of MEMS devices in biomedicine?
With the emergence of MEMS technology, complex and bulky mechanisms were replaced by smaller and more effective devices. The modern era’s technological advancements have provided humanity with some of the most effective solutions, including:
MEMS mirror.
They made it possible not only to detect small objects on the surface but also allowed the robots to quickly navigate within the area without extra help. So, how can MEMS technology benefit the biomedical industry?
What Is MEMS In Medicine?
MEMS, or Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems, are small chips. They are created using semiconductor processes to provide exceptional functionality and versatility.
MEMS is the most effective technology for integrating almost any physical, chemical, or biological phenomenon, including:
Movement;
Light;
Sound;
Chemistry;
Biochemistry;
Radio waves;
Calculations.
In the future, these chips will be able to mimic all of our “feelings,” ushering in a new era of bionics. Unlike simpler systems (such as hearing aids), MEMS promises to provide more opportunities for people with disabilities, such as increased visibility, improved auditory perception, tactile sensation, etc.
The MEMS devices are designed to sense both surfaces and the human body (including various kinds of measurements, monitoring, and detection inside bodies). One of the primary reasons for the use of MEMS in the medical industry is its deep sensing capability. For example, using a special chip integrated into the device, one can now monitor glucose levels, administer insulin, or take blood pressure readings.
BioMEMS Medical Applications
There are already many MEMS-based products that have found use in the medical industry. Some have been successfully integrated, while others are still in the lab or are being developed.
MEMS Pressure Sensors
They are one of the most numerous commercial MEMS product classes. Although there are significant differences between the human body and the mechanism of a car, some processes have a similar structure of functioning. For example, measuring the pressure of circulating liquids and critical pressures.
Sight Aids
Many laboratories are currently researching MEMS-based retinal implants. They are working on technologies that will allow patients suffering from diseases such as macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa to have some useful vision.
Kidney
While the demand for kidney donations is increasing, researchers are increasingly considering developing both a hybrid and a completely artificial kidney prototype. Using integrated MEMS, it is possible to create 3D prototypes that fill this body’s deficit. However, for the time being, most developers believe that such a mechanism should be located outside the body, but in the future, they intend to integrate it inside, much like an implant.
Heart
CardioMEMS is a first-of-its-kind BioMEMS sensor designed to monitor the patient’s heart. It is a combination of wireless technology and MEMS that allows doctors to obtain more information about patients’ health while making testing less invasive for them.
This sensor, implanted alongside the stent, allows for improved stent monitoring. Furthermore, it is less expensive and easier to use.
MEMS’ importance in medicine and health care is still underappreciated. In essence, however, this is already a game-changing innovation. In terms of prospects, the use of this technology will allow the advancement of medicine in general, the field of disease diagnosis and treatment, by reducing the size and cost of the device while increasing opportunities, which will, in turn, increase the effectiveness of the medical sphere for the population.