An Overview Of Tiny Biomedical Sensors

The biomedical sensors are tiny devices that help to detect physical conditions through the generation of mechanical, chemical, optical, or electrical signals. As a significant part of a sensor, a transducer assists in the conversion of energy. In several measurement systems and devices, sensors are the essential components.

In order to measure physical variables such as velocity, temperature, pressure, humidity, gas, flow rate, electric fields, light, and many more, tiny biomedical sensors are effective. In the manufacturing of several medical devices such as digital thermometers, spirometers, digital blood pressure meters, respiration pulse oximeters, peak-flow meters, etc. sensors are essential components. 

Different Types of Sensors:

Depending on the application, type, and placement, there are different types of sensors. The classification of sensors can also be on the basis of sensing functions such as electrochemical, mechanical, thermal, optical, magnetic, semiconductor, etc.

Based on the application, there are different types of sensors such as medical therapeutics, diagnostics, fitness, wellness, monitoring, and imaging sensors. If we consider type, there are blood-oxygen sensors, blood glucose sensors, ECG sensors, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, imaging sensors, inertial sensors, and motion sensors.

Sensors can also be divided on the basis of the placement such as wearable sensors, strip sensors, invasive/ non-invasive sensors, ingestible sensors, and implantable sensors.

Challenges for Manufacturing Tiny Biomedical Sensors:

Due to the tiny size of biomedical sensors, manufacturers use ultra-fine wires. The diameter of the ultra-fine wire is 9 microns or 5AWG which is nearly 5-10 times thinner in comparison to human hair. Therefore, in order to handle this tiny ultra-fine wire, the manufacturers need to meet very strict tolerance necessities and overcome environmental and physical factors.

In order to maintain tight tolerance requirements at high temperatures, modern manufacturers use thermo-pressure bonding technology to join two ultra-fine wires. This technology is much more effective than traditional soldering methods and using this technology, you can even join two ultra-fine wires of different diameters.

This technology not only helps to eliminate the drawbacks of traditional methods and overcome connectivity challenges but also provides strain-free, highly reliable, and corrosion-free joints. As the thermo-pressure bonding technology can be integrated into the mass production process, this technology is also effective in lessening manufacturing costs.

Micro-coils:

Miniature micro-coils are the main component of the tiny biomedical sensors. Micro-coils are essential elements of the sensor for several applications such as

1. In order to monitor, transfer, or log data in the case of miniature implants.
2. The activation and operation of the implants require transferring energy and the micro-coil can fulfill this purpose.
3. In the case of heat treatments, RF treatments, and electromagnetic radiation-based treatments, micro-coils play a significant role.
4. Micro-coils are also capable of employing external or local magnetic fields and are suitable in In-vivo magnetic navigation.

Tiny Biomedical Sensors:

Tiny biomedical sensors can help to measure blood pressure, blood flow, muscle displacement, cerebrospinal fluid pressure, core body temperature, and bone growth velocity. As people are now adopting more healthcare services, the demand for biomedical devices that involve sensors is increasing rapidly.