Wireless miniature sensors for medical implants deep in the body

One common challenge of current minimally-invasive medical instrument and implants is the reliable and wireless tracking of their positions deep in the human body. State-of-the-art imaging methods, such as ultrasound, MRI, and fluoroscopy/CT, have difficulties to continuously, wirelessly, safely and accurately monitor the three-dimensional position and orientation of microdevices.

The division “Smart technologies for tumor therapy” at DKFZ Dresden led by Prof. Tian Qiu works on magneto-oscillatory microsystems [ref 1, 2], which allow wireless localization and sensing deep in the body. Based on mechanical resonance combined with favorable properties of magnets, this technology allows miniaturization to millimeter-scale, real-time feedback, and operation distances beyond ten centimeters. It is unaffected by common electromagnetic noise sources and can be readily applied on surgical tools, such as endoscopes, or as fiducial markers for minimally-invasive surgery, or as a miniature robot that can be localized and control to navigate along desired trajectory (Figure 1). Funded by the European Research Council (ERC) starting grant ("VIBEBOT"), the group aims to further enhance the wireless micro-robotic technology for accuracy, speed, and size, and to explore innovative sensing applications.