ST to develop sensor for continuous eye
pressure monitoring to detect glaucoma
Semiconductor chips are becoming doctors. Here is one good
example of MEMS sensor development by ST Micro for detecting
eye disease. ST Microelectronics has announced that it will
develop and supply a wireless MEMS sensor to help measure
intraocular pressure (IOP) of eyes to detect the eye disease
called glaucoma, which is often associated with increased
pressure of fluid in the eye. This MEMS sensor from ST is
integrated inside a contact lens type of device developed
by Sensimed AG.
The name of the device is SENSIMED Triggerfish that uses
a tiny embedded strain gauge to monitor the curvature of
the eye for about 24 hours. Conventional ophthalmic equipment
such as tonometer may fail to detect an elevated IOP, especially
in glaucoma patients, because the pressure varies during
the day and often peaks during sleep or outside of office
hours. Where as this device by working 24 hours is said
to detect more accurately.
Sensimed's ingenious solution is a two-part system comprising
the smart contact lens and a small receiver worn around
the patient's neck. In addition to the strain gauge the
lens contains an antenna, a tiny dedicated processing circuit
and an RF transmitter to communicate the measurements to
the receiver. The lens is powered via the received radio
waves and does not need to be connected to a battery. The
embedded components are positioned in the lens in such a
way that they do not interfere with the patient's vision.
The lens is fitted by the ophthalmologist and when the patient
returns the next day the ophthalmologist removes the lens
and receiver, obtaining a complete record of IOP changes
over the preceding 24 hours.
"Application trials are confirming the significant
benefits that our unique platform can provide and the next
step is to commercialize the product to a larger number
of centers in selected geographies," said Jean-Marc
Wismer, CEO of Sensimed. "With its unrivalled track
record in developing and delivering accurate MEMS sensors
and its readiness to collaborate with innovative customers,
ST was the natural choice of partner for this key step."
The SENSIMED Triggerfish with CE mark4 approval, is currently
running application trials, and is commercially available
in selected centers. "The device is easy to use and
has facilitated and improved patient care substantially,"
said Dr.Kaweh Mansouri who has been using the Triggerfish
at the University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
ST expects the development of the MEMS sensor to be completed
in Q2 2010 and manufacturing to start in Q3 2010, with availability
outside trials to doctors and patients subject to regulatory
approvals. Sensimed and ST anticipate progressively rolling
out the product country-by-country across Europe beginning
in Q3 and entering the US market by the end of 2011.
"We have a strong focus on developing and manufacturing
wireless sensor networks for diagnostics and other applications
in medicine. This wireless, self-powered, on-body sensor
will be used in a product that promises to greatly help
the millions of people at risk and suffering from glaucoma,"
said Benedetto Vigna, General Manager of STMicroelectronics'
MEMS, Sensors and High Performance Analog division. "Sensimed's
imaginative application perfectly illustrates how, by working
with healthcare experts, we can combine two different disciplines
and know-how, along with our manufacturing infrastructure,
to improve the health and wellbeing of people all over the
world."
