Research Profile

Recent advances in microelectromechanical systems – the microelectronics, microfabrication and micromachining technologies known collectively as MEMS – is being applied to biomedical applications, and has given rise to a new research field known as BioMEMS. The technology was originally derived from that used to produce computer chips – silicon microfabrication, which enables the development of miniature smart systems at low unit cost.

Today, BioMEMS is an enabling technology for ever-greater functionality and cost reduction in smaller devices for improved medical diagnostics and therapies. For example, BioMEMS technology can enhance catheter-based procedures by providing pressure sensing, imaging, drug delivery and tissue sampling, all via tiny biochips occupying <1 mm3 mounted on a catheter. Cell manipulation takes on new meaning as structures can be created on the same size scale as cells and proteins.

Areas of medical applications under investigation in our BioMEMS Laboratory include high-performance ultrasonic transducers, miniature in size to fit within a catheter, to obtain high-resolution coronary images; wireless implantable sensors, without size-constraining batteries or failure-prone wire connections, to monitor musculoskeletal loads in vivo; catheter drug delivery systems, capable of localized drug delivery while maintaining low systemic concentrations; biochips for cell detection and manipulation; micro-/nano-structured scaffolds to enhance tissue engineering of cell and organ replacements; and smart tools for minimally invasive surgical procedures.