Advancements in MEMS technology for medical applications: microneedles and miniaturized sensors
Mitsuhiro Shikida, Yoshihiro Hasegawa, Muhammad Salman Al Farisi, Miyoko Matsushima, Tsutomu Kawabe
Abstract
Abstract Since their early stages of development, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) have shown potential for breakthroughs in the fabrication of medical tools. The miniaturization of various devices using MEMS technology has enabled minimally invasive treatments and in situ measurements. In this paper, we introduce two advancements in MEMS applications in the medical field: (1) microneedle devices for brain activity evaluation, a transdermal drug delivery system, and biological fluid sampling; and (2) miniaturized MEMS sensors for monitoring the conditions inside blood vessels and respiratory organs. In addition, we provide a summary of MEMS sensors used in developing new drugs, detecting vital signs, and other applications.