INDUSTRY NEWS
A maker of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) has been awarded a patent to build miniature implantable sensors. The US patent for Integrated Sensing Systems Inc. (ISSYS; Ypsilanti, MI, USA) covers the design and production of tiny wireless, battery-free devices. This is the first of 10 pending patents by the company for the use of its MEMS technology in real-time, continuous biopressure measurement systems.
The system consists of a batteryless device and a handheld reader. The device can be directly implanted via minimally invasive, outpatient surgery. It contains a MEMS pressure sensor, custom electronics, and a telemetry antenna. Using magnetic telemetry, the reader transmits power to the sensor. The sensed pressure is then sent back to the reader.
Physicians will be able to use data from the sensor to modify treatments. The data can be collected in the doctor’s office, or can be submitted by the patient over the telephone or Internet. Applications for the system include home monitoring of cardiovascular and neurological diseases.
For more information, contact Cathy Morgan, ISSYS, 391 Airport Industrial Dr., Ypsilanti, MI 48198, USA; phone: +1 734 5479896, ext. 118; fax: +1 734 5479964; Internet: www.mems-issys.com.
