Role of MEMS and nanotechnology in medical technologies

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

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 !!!!

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

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 !!

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

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.
Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

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.

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

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.
www.edmond-wheelchair.com/ bp_monitors3.htm http://www.sensorsmag.com/articles/0497/medical/main.shtml

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Projected MEMS market share in 2006

Consumer 3% Industrial 22%

Medical 11%

Automotive 17%

Communictions 21%

Computer 26%

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

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

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

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

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.

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

MEMS and nanotechnology in precision surgery

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

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

http://www.mobileinstrument.com

http://www.surgical-optics.com/new_autoclavable_rigid_endoscope.htm

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

MEMS redefines endoscopy with Lab on a Pill

Size : 35mm Components of lab on a pill Digital camera (CMOS Technology) Light source Battery Radio transmitter Sensors (MEMS Technology)
http://www.spie.org/web/oer/august/aug00/cover2.html

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

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

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.

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

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.

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

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

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Ultrasonic MEMS cutting tool

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

These tools make use of piezoelectric materials attached to the cutter. Consist of microchannels to flush out the fluid and debris while cutting. Can be used to cut tough tissues, like the hardened lenses of patients with cataract
Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Skin Resurfacing
Skin resurfacing is a form of cosmetic surgery that is often
used to aesthetically enhance the appearance of wrinkles, skin lesions, pigmentation irregularities, moles, roughness, and scars.

Conventional resurfacing techniques involve the use of : Dermabraders devices or tools used in plastic surgery. Chemical peels chemicals such as glycolic acid.

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Drawbacks of the conventional approaches in skin resurfacing

May cause excessive bleeding Often require time-consuming procedures Require multiple sessions. Lightened pigments at the operated site Furthermore, chemical peels cannot be used for removal of lesions with significant depth.
Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

MEMS skin resurfacing tools

Though still not commercially available, MEMS tools have been found to overcome many drawbacks present in the conventional techniques. They can be used to remove raised skin lesions as well as lesions upto certain depths. These MEMS structures are packaged onto rotary elements and used over the affected areas. The debris can then be sucked out using a suction pump.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12787986&dopt=Abstract

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Micro/Nano Robots in medical field

These are micro/nano scale devices capable of treating and eliminating medical problems. Such problems may arise due to the accumulation of unwanted organic substances, which interfere with the normal body functions, such as : Tumors Life threatening blood clots Accumulation of scar tissue Arterial blockage Localized sites of infection.
Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Considerations before introducing the robots into the body.

The robot size should be smaller than the diameter of the artery . The robot should not damage the arterial walls as it traverses through it. The robot can be introduced into the body through the circulatory system of the body. The femoral artery in the leg would be the most suited, because it is a large diameter artery and is traditionally used to introduce catheters in the body.

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Removal of the diseased area

Fatty material deposited on the arterial walls causing artery blockage, can be physically removed using nanoblades. Physically shredding tumor can pose a great threat. The pieces can be carried to other locations and result in furthering of cancerous cells. One effective approach to kill the cancerous cells would be to enclose the entire tumor in a nano box and destroying everything in the box.
www.foresight.org/.../Gallery/ Captions/Image201.html

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

A Graphical Representation of nanorobots working in a blood vessel, to remove a cancerous cell

www.e-spaces.com/portfolio/ trans/blood/

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

MEMS and drug delivery

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

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.

gtresearchnews.gatech.edu/ newsrelease/NEEDLES.htm

http://www.pharmtech.com/pharmtech/data/articlestandard/pharmtech/022004/80733/article.pdf

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

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.
http://mmadou.eng.uci.edu/

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

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.

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Acknowledgements
This effort is based upon work partially supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0239262 and The Florida HiTech Corridor Workforce Training grant Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation or the Florida HiTech Corridor Workforce Training Grant.

Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu

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Shekhar Bhansali

bhansali@eng.usf.edu