ESAT-MICAS, Sensors and Biotelemetry group

Biomedical system design has been one of the major application areas of the Keywords
analog design expertise of the group. For over thirty years, implantable systems > Biomedical implant systems
have been developed, every of them with at least one monitoring function, such (monitoring, actuation &
as pressure, temperature, acceleration, biopotentials. Wireless data stimulation)
> Biocompatible sensors
transmission is performed either by a continuous (radio frequency) link, or by a (pressure, force, accelerometers,
near-by inductive field. The latter only allows data transmission in close proximity temperature,...)
operation (so-called transponder technology). > Biotelemetry
(inductive power delivery,
bidirectional data communication)
> Ultra-low-power circuits and RF
links for biomedical and
Key personnel implantable systems
The MICAS group is lead by the following
professors: Wim Dehaene, Georges Gielen, Robert
Challenges
Puers, Patrick Reynaert, Willy Sansen and Michiel
Steyaert. All implantable systems operate on low-power circuits to save
Prof. Puers is the head of the MICAS Sensor energy. Recent developments are based on our strategy to only
and Biotelemetry group create implantable data acquisition systems which are remotely
programmable. This is based on the expertise that implantable
Staff systems typically need to remain tunable in order to keep them
The MICAS group consists of 6 professors,
45 researchers and 12 supporting staff members.
operational under varying conditions.
For those cases where batteries cannot be accepted in implants, an
Within the Sensors and Biotelemetry group:
> 1 professor
inductive powering link is formed using closely coupled coils. To
> 13 PhD researchers cope with the stringent demands on miniaturisation, complex
> 5 technicians interconnection techniques are elaborated (stacked and flip-chip
bonding, laser feedthrough interconnects on hybrids). To protect the
vulnerable electronic circuits, in all cases dedicated hermetically
sealed housings are fabricated using biocompatible materials, such
as ceramics, titanium and bioglass.

Swallowable capsule prototype

Collaboration & Users

> Companies: Cochlear (Belgium), 3WIN (Belgium), RDSM (Belgium),
Guidant (Belgium), Stryker (Germany), AstraTech (Sweden), Novineon
Pressure sensor with self test
(Germany), Stortz (Germany), Sensitec (Germany), Innovent (Germany),
Centexbel (Belgium), NXP (Netherlands)
> Institutes: UCL (Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium), UGent (Belgium), SSSA
Contact

(Pisa, Italy), EPFL (Lausanne, Switzerland), University of Barcelona (Spain) Robert Puers
Dept. Elektrotechniek ESAT-MICAS
> Spin-off companies: ICsense, Zenso. Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, Room 01.20
B-3001 Leuven, Belgium

mtc
Leuven tel: +32 (0)16 321082
bob.puers@esat.kuleuven.be

medical technology centre info@lmtc.kuleuven.be

www.kuleuven.be/lmtc
www.esat.kuleuven.be/micas
Example Projects

Pressure monitoring.
Pressure measurements have been a major focal point of attention in the group from the
start. Dedicated pressure sensors have been developed for low power consumption.
These belonged to the first successful MEMS devices created by the group. An important
medical application is found in bladder pressure evaluation. Devices have been
elaborated that were suited to be introduced into the bladder via a standard cystoscope.
They transmit the pressure information wirelessly to the outside world. In glaucoma
prevention, a pressure monitoring device to be implanted in a PMMA artificial lens was
designed as well.
Eye pressure monitoring
Unique infrastructure
Analog circuit design
Smart orthopaedic implants. > In house design of mixed analog-digital circuitry
> Fabrication through silicon foundries
The group has an extensive collaboration with orthopeadics for several > In house testing and validation
applications. Bone fracture repair can be monitored by an instrumented MEMS development
implant, that allows maximal therapy and allows to warn the patient when > 200 m^2 clean room
overloading risks to occur. The patient's autonomy is considerably for Silicon & ceramics processing
improved, whilst producing accurate information for the surgeon to track > MEMS fabrication line, for silicon and polymers
the healing process. > Thin and thick film processing
For total hip implants, an instrumented prosthesis was developed that > Laser machining, optical mask making
allows the detection of early loosening of the implant. Totally wireless, the > Focused Ion Beam and inspection equipment
implant is powered only on request from the outside. It can thus remain Packaging and interconnect
quiescent for the lifetime of the implant. When activated, it transmits > Wire bonding
information on vibrations detected by the implant's head (which contains > Flip-chip bonding
the sensors) upon solicitation by an external shaker. > Hybrid & flex substrate manufacture capabilities
> Hermetic sealing
> Biocompatible coating and packaging
Wireless power and data
> Inductive links for power transmission to implants
> Bidirectional data communication by inductive,
radio or optical links
Dental prosthesis.
In prosthetic dentistry, replacements of a single tooth or a complete set of teeth are
a daily procedure. Research shows that it is better to apply a slight load on the
newly placed implants, as this stimulates the bone formation. However, an
overload should be avoided at all times. An electronically controlled prosthesis
was designed. The miniaturized datalogger uses 18 strain gauges which allow to
calculate forces and bending moments on 6 implants. An alarm is triggered if the
Smart total hip implant patient overloads the prosthesis.

Endoscopic capsule.
A prototype for a wireless endoscopic capsule is being developed. The device is powered
through a wireless power link, which can provide up to 200mW. Image data collected by the
capsule is sent to an external receiver through an RF link, supporting frame rates up to 10 fps.
The power unit will take advantage of a 3D inductive link based on one external coil and three
orthogonal coils embedded in the capsule. The radiofrequency link sends image data from
inside the body to an outside receiving station, consuming low power (<6 mW) at high
datarates (>1 Mbps).
Vector capsule

mtc
Leuven

medical technology centre info@lmtc.kuleuven.be

www.kuleuven.be/lmtc