As MEDICA 2023 unfolds in Düsseldorf (from November 13 to 16), the future of medicine takes center stage with discussions revolving around med tech, cutting-edge devices and digital health. The trade fair showcases a plethora of products and technologies, with a notable emphasis on the incorporation of the very latest sensor technology.
Anticipated to reach a value of US$ 10.28 billion by 2027, the global market for medical sensors is currently soaring. Embedded within a myriad of innovative devices, pioneering sensor technology is at the very heart of how digital technology is expected to prevent disease and treat patients of the future.
Employed within instruments for pressure, temperature and vital sign monitoring, as well as imaging and many other areas, sensors are helping tackle everything from cardiovascular and neurological disease to diabetes, fever and fertility.
CEO of IVAM International Microtechnology Business Network, Dr. Thomas Dietrich, said:
“The importance of sensors for medical technology cannot be overestimated, as they are the basis for precise diagnoses, effective treatments and improvements within patient care.
The future developments of sensor technology within medical technology promise a growing breadth of applications, from implantable sensors for monitoring chronic diseases to compact wearables that can be worn on the body and continually monitor people’s health in a way that is reliable and saves money.”
MedicalExpo e-magazine takes a look at five of the many medical sensors that will be featured at MEDICA 2023:
1. Chip-on-Tip CMOS Sensors for Endoscopy
UK-based Teledyne e2v will be presenting its chip-on-tip, complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors for endoscopy and laparoscopy. These techniques require compact sensors with a very small pixel pitch and specifically optimized image quality.
The tiny chip-on-the-tip CMOS image sensors are for use on disposable and flexible endoscopes. Céline Semecas, Marketing Manager at Teledyne e2v, said:
“Teledyne e2v’s custom chip-on-tip CMOS sensors are fully adapted to the endoscope environment with low-power and high-speed data transmission. They are compact and easy to integrate, providing highly detailed images that see even the slightest of lesions.
We can also provide enhanced imaging capabilities such as NIR [near-infrared] and 3D.”
2. Wearable AIoT Sensors
Decentralized Biotechnology Intelligence Co., LTD, based in Taiwan, is to showcase its Wearable Intelligent Stethoscope and AIoT Smart Insole Sensor. The company’s stethoscope is a thin device that can be fitted into lightweight fabric and used to detect and record heartbeat status and to monitor trends on an ongoing basis.
It employs a sensor to detect heartbeats and provide users with a better understanding of their health, as well as to alert them in case of abnormality or emergency. The smart insole fits into a sports shoe and uses a microsensor to detect exercise intensity and speed.
Offering a personalized approach to fitness and sports management, it aims to minimize the risk of injury.
3. Non-Invasive Air Bubble Sensor
US-based medical sensor manufacturer Introtek International is bringing its AD8/AD9 air bubble detection sensors to MEDICA.
For soft or rigid tubing connecting patients to potentially life-saving equipment, these devices use pulse-type ultrasound to provide highly reliable, non-invasive air detection capabilities.
They are designed for critical applications across a variety of medical fields, such as dialysis, where the safety of a patient or the integrity of a process is essential.
4. Compact Two-in-One Sensor for Muscle Activity
German DIERS International GmbH focuses on biomechanical measuring systems.
Its compact two-in-one DIERS iEMG sensor allows the measurement of muscle activity (electromyography, EMG) as well as the three-dimensional measurement of movement.
Featuring wireless data transmission, it can be used to monitor and measure muscular imbalances, muscular tension and the progress of neurological diseases.
5. Sensor Technology to Monitor Core Body Temperature
Swiss sensor developer and manufacturer greenteg will also have a presence at the Düsseldorf event and will be showcasing its technology for fever tracking. Dr. Lukas Durrer, Co-Founder and Vice-President of CALERA Integration at greenteg, said:
“This year at MEDICA we will be presenting CALERA, our patented sensor technology that continuously and non-invasively monitors core body temperature.
Thanks to a miniaturized heat flux sensor, the temperature is not influenced by external temperatures.
We are committed to delivering clinically proven solutions for healthcare applications.
Recently we have partnered with Kantonsspital St. Gallen in Switzerland, who conducted a successful clinical trial using our technology.”
