Researchers from EPFL's Integrated Systems Laboratory, working together with the organisation's Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit group, have developed a biosensor chip featuring six sensors, a control unit and a radio transmission module.
According to EPFL, the biosensor chip – which would be implanted just beneath the skin – can monitor simultaneously the concentration of a number of molecules, including glucose and cholesterol, and certain drugs.
The device uses an induction coil to draw power from an external battery attached to the skin by a patch. "A simple plaster holds together the battery, the coil and a Bluetooth module used to send the results immediately to a mobile phone," said EPFL's Dr Sandro Carrara.
"This is the world's first chip capable of measuring not just pH and temperature, but also metabolism related molecules like glucose, lactate and cholesterol, as well as drugs," Dr Carrara continued.
However, the development is in its early days and clinical tests may not take place on humans for another three years.
"Knowing the precise and real time effect of drugs on the metabolism is one of the keys to the type of personalised, precision medicine that we are striving for," said Dr Carrara.
Author
Graham Pitcher
Source: www.newelectronics.co.uk