Esteve Juanola-Feliu

Combined Dielectrophoresis and Impedance Systems for Bacteria Analysis in Microfluidic On-Chip Platforms

Bacteria concentration and detection is time-consuming in regular microbiology procedures aimed to facilitate the detection and analysis of these cells at very low concentrations. Traditional methods are effective but often require several days to complete. This scenario results in low bioanalytical and diagnostic methodologies with associated increased costs and complexity. In recent years, the exploitation of the intrinsic electrical properties of cells has emerged as an appealing alternative approach for concentrating and detecting bacteria. The combination of dielectrophoresis (DEP) and impedance analysis (IA) in microfluidic on-chip platforms could be key to develop rapid, accurate, portable, simple-to-use and cost-effective microfluidic devices with a promising impact in medicine, public health, agricultural, food control and environmental areas. The present document reviews recent DEP and IA combined approaches and the latest relevant improvements focusing on bacteria concentration and detection, including selectivity, sensitivity, detection time, and conductivity variation enhancements. Furthermore, this review analyses future trends and challenges which need to be addressed in order to successfully commercialize these platforms resulting in an adequate social return of public-funded investments.

An Instantaneous Low-Cost Point-of-Care Anemia Detection Device

We present a small, compact and portable device for point-of-care instantaneous early detection of anemia. The method used is based on direct hematocrit measurement from whole blood samples by means of impedance analysis. This device consists of a custom electronic instrumentation and a plug-and-play disposable sensor. The designed electronics rely on straightforward standards for low power consumption, resulting in a robust and low consumption device making it completely mobile with a long battery life. Another approach could be powering the system based on other solutions like indoor solar cells, or applying energy-harvesting solutions in order to remove the batteries. The sensing system is based on a disposable low-cost label-free three gold electrode commercial sensor for 50 μL blood samples. The device capability for anemia detection has been validated through 24 blood samples, obtained from four hospitalized patients at Hospital Clínic. As a result, the response, effectiveness and robustness of the portable point-of-care device to detect anemia has been proved with an accuracy error of 2.83% and a mean coefficient of variation of 2.57% without any particular case above 5%.

Design of a customized multipurpose nano-enabled implantable system for in-vivo theranostics

The first part of this paper reviews the current development and key issues on implantable multi-sensor devices for in vivo theranostics. Afterwards, the authors propose an innovative biomedical multisensory system for in vivo biomarker monitoring that could be suitable for customized theranostics applications. At this point, findings suggest that cross-cutting Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) could improve the overall performance of the system given that the convergence of technologies in nanotechnology, biotechnology, micro&nanoelectronics and advanced materials permit the development of new medical devices of small dimensions, using biocompatible materials, and embedding reliable and targeted biosensors, high speed data communication, and even energy autonomy. Therefore, this article deals with new research and market challenges of implantable sensor devices, from the point of view of the pervasive system, and time-to-market. The remote clinical monitoring approach introduced in this paper could be based on an array of biosensors to extract information from the patient. A key contribution of the authors is that the general architecture introduced in this paper would require minor modifications for the final customized bio-implantable medical device.

INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OF MEDICAL DEVICES FOSTERED BY CROSS-DISCIPLINARY COMMUNITIES OF PRACTITIONERS

Commercialisation of emerging technological innovations such as medical devices can be a time-consuming and lengthy process resulting in a market entrance failure. To tackle this general problem, major challenges are being analysed, principally focusing on the role of Communities of Practitioners (CoPs) in the process of effective transfer of high-value emerging technologies from academia to market. Taking a case study approach, this document describes the role of a cross-disciplinary CoP in the technology transfer process within a convergence scenario. The case presented is a sensor array for ischemia detection developed by different practitioners from diverse organisations: university, research institution, hospital, and a scientific park. The analysis also involves the innovation ecosystem where all stakeholders are taken into account. This study contributes to a better understanding of the managerial implications of CoP fostering technology transfer and innovation, principally focused on the current need for new biomedical technologies and tools.

A portable point-of-care device for multi-parametric diabetes mellitus analysis

We present a small, compact and portable envisaged lab-on-a-chip (LoC) device for point-of-care (PoC) detection of different key parameters on diabetes mellitus analysis; glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and hematocrit. These four parameters, present in blood samples, are important in the standardized analysis affecting different patients with different medical conditions. The quantification of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and hematocrit it is performed with a single disposable device using a single blood drop, enhancing disposition decision time and improving patient satisfaction when compared with actual analytical methodology, and it is an easy to use device and no skilled personnel is needed to use it, avoiding the use of more complicated processes like phlebotomy. The presented device consists of a custom sensing system, low power electronic instrumentation and an easy user interpretation readout display, powered by a single battery.

A low-power electronic instrumentation for multi-parametric diabetes mellitus analysis

We present a small, compact and low-power electronic instrumentation for a point-of-care (PoC) device for the early diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and associated risk factors. The presented system consists of a low-power 4-channel potentiostat, a transducer with 4 separate electrochemical cells featuring different biosensors, and a low-cost printed battery. The system is designed to measure key parameters on diabetes mellitus analysis, such as: glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides. It has been designed as a disposable device using a single blood drop to quantify these parameters, enhancing disposition decision time and improving patient satisfaction when compared with current analytical methodology. The electronic instrumentation has been designed to simultaneously control and read the measurement of the 4 different sensors on the transducer block/chip. In this paper, we present the previous evaluation of the system through different cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry analysis compared with a commercial multichannel potentiostat 1030B from CH Instruments. The system presents accurate and reliable performance powered by a printed electrochemical battery.

Design of an implantable nano-enabled biomédical device for in-vivo glucose monitoring

This article reports on the research and development of a cutting-edge biomedical device for continuous in-vivo glucose monitoring. Using a case-study approach, the paper examines the high-tech activities involved in the development of this biomedical device within the current context of converging technologies involving the fields of medicine, physics, chemistry, biology, telecommunications, electronics and energy. Here, nanotechnology is seen to represent a new industrial revolution, boosting the biomedical devices market. Nanosensors may well provide the tools required for investigating biological processes at the cellular level in vivo when embedded into medical devices of small dimensions, using biocompatible materials, and requiring reliable and targeted biosensors, high speed data transfer, safely stored data, and even energy autonomy.

A Proof-of-Concept of a Multi-harvesting Power Source in a Low-Voltage CMOS Technology

This paper presents a view of the state of the art in the field of energy harvesting solutions focused on discrete to integrated solutions in the range of low-power generation, from a few microwatts to several nanowatts. A view of commercial solutions to the new trends in new self-powered smart sensors operating without the use of any kind of battery will be presented. A specific solution developed in our laboratory will be used as an example of application.