Ultrasonic chip
Widely used for monitoring and recording biological signals, supporting and enhancing physiological functions, as well as for the treatment of diseases, implantable medical devices are transforming healthcare and improving the quality of life of millions of people. Researchers are increasingly interested in developing wireless implantable medical devices for monitoring the functions of organs and the entire body in vivo and in situ. These devices can be used to monitor temperature, blood pressure, glucose levels and respiratory parameters for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
To date, implantable electronics are extremely inefficient in terms of volume – it usually requires several chips, a housing, wires and external converters, and batteries are often needed to store energy. A constant trend in electronics is closer integration of electronic components, transferring more and more functions to the integrated circuit itself.
A group of engineers at Columbia University has developed the world's smallest single-chip system with a volume of less than 0.1 mm3. The internal structure of the system is visible only under a microscope.
This chip is a fully functioning electronic system. The design was developed by engineer Chen Shi. The Shi design is unique in its volumetric efficiency – the number of functions that fit in a given volume. Traditional radio frequency communication could not be used by such a small device, since the wavelength of the electromagnetic range is too large in relation to its size. The wavelength of ultrasound at this frequency is much smaller, and the group used ultrasound both to power the device and to wirelessly communicate with it. They added piezoelectric materials directly into the circuit to convert acoustic energy into electrical energy to communicate and power the chip.
Sensory functionality in vivo has been demonstrated for an ultrasound neurostimulation procedure in mice.
The chip, which is an implantable injection particle without additional packaging, was manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), a Taiwanese company engaged in the study and production of semiconductor products. It acts as a probe for real-time temperature measurement, including temperature monitoring and its changes as a result of therapeutic ultrasound application.
The device can be adapted to perceive other clinically significant physiological parameters.
Article C.Shi et al. The application of a sub–0.1-mm 3 implantable mote for in vivo real-time wireless temperature sensing is published in the journal Science Advances.
Aminat Adzhieva, portal "Eternal Youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on Columbia Engineering: Tiny, wireless, injectable chips use ultrasound to monitor body processes.