MEMS applications in health care

MEMS technology offers a means of creating complex three dimensional structures in silicon with features that span the nano- to micro-meter regimes. Kumetrix has pioneered the development of painless minimally invasive silicon microsampling and assay devices for medical diagnostics. Blood sampling employs a microneedle comparable in size to a human hair, yet tough enough to puncture skin reliably without breakage. Sample volumes are in the 10 to 100 nanoliter range. Detection of particular analytes is accomplished within the silicon chip using integrated miniature thin-film electrochemical biosensors, microfluidic assay schemes having nanostructures, and optical techniques. This talk will present an overview of this technology and discuss applications to the point-of-care diagnostic market.