Miniaturized and low cost innovative detection systems for medical and environmental applications

Abstract

Innovative, simple, miniaturized, low-cost and low-power consumption devices are required in future medical applications. In our laboratory we have developed different devices in this field. Firstly, oxide aluminum-coated interdigitated (ID) Al capacitors have been successfully tested for DNA hybridization test (down to 30 pM target concentrations), as well as for specific bacteria recognition (S. Aureus, down to 100 CFU on a sensing area of 200×200 µm2) with an appropriate anti-monoclonal antibody (MoAb) and finally for humidity detection with application in a breath rate monitoring system, an important element for preventive medical studies, which is light, non-invasive, comfortable to wear for the patient. Secondly a complete microsystem enabling the measurement of biomolecules concentration in assay tubes has been developed based on ultraviolet (UV) light absorption with miniaturized LEDs and SOI high-efficiency photodiodes. Our technologies combine high-performance CMOS integrated circuits, sensors and MEMS; operation in harsh conditions (micro power, high-temperature, remote RF link, etc.); very low power consumption; and broad applications in biomedical and environmental sectors. This opens the door to many new emerging applications into medical devices.