Team Members: Saransh Sharma, Khalil B. Ramadi, Nikhil H. Poole, Shriya S. Srinivasan, Keiko Ishida, Johannes Kuosmanen, Josh Jenkins, Fatemeh Aghlmand, Margaret B. Swift, Mikhail G. Shapiro, Giovanni Traverso, Azita Emami

The advancement in medical technology has led to the development of innovative diagnostic and treatment methods for gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. A key area of focus in this field is the localization and tracking of ingestible smart pills, which are invaluable tools in the diagnosis and management of various GI conditions. In our latest project, we have made significant strides in this area by developing a sophisticated system for the wireless 3D tracking of smart pills within the GI tract. This system is designed to operate in real-time and offers millimeter-scale resolution, marking a significant improvement in tracking capabilities.

The core of our system lies in the generation of 3D magnetic field gradients within the GI field of view. This is accomplished using high-efficiency planar electromagnetic coils, which are ingeniously designed to encode each point in space with a unique magnetic field magnitude. This encoding ensures that every spatial location within the GI tract can be precisely identified based on its distinct magnetic field characteristics.

The smart pills, central to this system, are miniaturized marvels of engineering. They are equipped with low-power, wireless technology that enables them to measure the magnetic field magnitude in their immediate vicinity accurately. As these smart pills navigate through the complex environment of the GI tract, they continuously transmit data regarding the field magnitude they encounter. This transmission allows for the decoding of their exact location within the GI tract, providing real-time tracking as they progress through the digestive system.

The potential applications of this system are vast and impactful. It could play a crucial role in monitoring conditions such as constipation and incontinence, offering a quantitative assessment of GI transit time. Furthermore, the precision of this tracking system opens up new possibilities for targeted therapeutic interventions, allowing for more effective and minimally invasive procedures. The ability to accurately track the movement and location of smart pills within the GI tract not only enhances diagnostic capabilities but also allows for a more personalized approach to treatment.

Our project represents a significant breakthrough in the field of medical technology, particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of GI disorders. The development of a system for the real-time, 3D tracking of ingestible smart pills with millimeter-scale resolution has the potential to revolutionize the way GI disorders are diagnosed and managed. By providing precise and real-time data, this system offers new insights into GI function and pathology, paving the way for more effective, targeted, and minimally invasive treatment options.

 

 

 

Related Publications and News

• Sharma, S., Ramadi, K.B., Poole, N.H. et al. “Location-aware ingestible microdevices for wireless monitoring of gastrointestinal dynamics“, Nat Electron 6, 242–256 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41928-023-00916-0
• iMAG: Location-aware smart-pill for wireless GI-tract monitoring | Research Communities by Springer Nature
• Smart Pills to Help Diagnose Gut Disorders – www.caltech.edu
• Ingestible sensor could help doctors pinpoint GI difficulties | MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• What’s your gut telling you?  | NYU Tandon School of Engineering

Team Members: Saransh Sharma

The 3D CMOS Magnetic Sensor represents a significant advancement in the field of magnetic sensing, which is integral to a wide array of applications across various industries, including automotive, navigation, medical electronics, and consumer products. Traditional Hall sensors, though compatible with CMOS technology, often grapple with issues such as subpar sensitivity and high power consumption. Our newly developed 3D magnetic sensor addresses these challenges by combining high sensitivity with ultra-low power operation, all within the standard CMOS process.

This innovative sensor is constructed with three orthogonal metal coils that are densely packed to enhance responsiveness. These coils are designed to generate a voltage in the presence of AC magnetic fields through electromagnetic induction. The resultant voltage signal is then meticulously processed by sophisticated on-chip circuitry. This circuitry is meticulously engineered to perform several critical functions: low-noise amplification to boost signal strength, filtering to eliminate unwanted noise, accurate peak detection, and efficient digitization. Remarkably, all these operations are achieved with an impressively low power consumption of just 14.8µW, enabling the sensor to detect magnetic fields at µT-level sensitivity.

The versatility of the 3D CMOS Magnetic Sensor makes it suitable for a broad spectrum of applications, particularly in scenarios that necessitate AC field sensing. In the biomedical realm, this sensor is poised to revolutionize various procedures and treatments. Its precision and sensitivity make it ideal for tracking catheters and guidewires during intricate endovascular procedures, thereby enhancing safety and outcomes. Additionally, its application in minimally invasive surgeries can lead to more accurate interventions, while its use in targeted radiotherapy can help in delivering treatment more precisely to the affected areas. Furthermore, the sensor’s capabilities extend to serving as fiducial markers in preoperative planning, providing critical data to guide surgical strategies.

In summary, the 3D CMOS Magnetic Sensor represents a leap forward in magnetic sensing technology. Its exceptional sensitivity, coupled with ultra-low power consumption, sets a new standard in the field. The sensor’s potential impact on medical electronics, particularly in improving the accuracy and safety of various medical procedures, underscores its significance. As we continue to explore and refine its applications, the sensor is poised to become an indispensable tool in numerous fields, driving innovation and enhancing capabilities across industries.

 

 

Related Publications

• S. Sharma, H. Melton, L. Edmonds, O. Addington, M. Shapiro and A. Emami, “A Monolithic 3D Magnetic Sensor in 65nm CMOS with <10μTrms Noise and 14.8μW Power,” 2023 IEEE Custom Integrated Circuits Conference (CICC), San Antonio, TX, USA, 2023, pp. 1-2, doi: 10.1109/CICC57935.2023.10121313.

Team Members: Saransh Sharma

To effectively monitor the health and performance of military personnel under challenging conditions such as extreme weather, resource scarcity, unsanitary environments, and exposure to exotic diseases, we propose the development of an advanced wearable biosensor patch. This innovative device is designed to continuously track a comprehensive range of biomarkers directly from human sweat. It focuses on three primary categories: metabolic biomarkers, vital signs parameters, and immune response biomarkers.

The wearable biosensor leverages cutting-edge technology to analyze these biomarkers in real-time. By integrating machine learning algorithms, the device can accurately predict fatigue levels, providing a crucial and timely understanding of the physical state of military forces, sailors, and athletes. This predictive capability is pivotal in enhancing overall performance and plays a significant role in risk management and injury prevention strategies.

We are currently in the process of designing the sensor patch, which features a high-performance, low-power integrated circuit (IC) chip. This chip is equipped with functionalities critical for efficient biosensing, including multi-channel signal acquisition, advanced data processing capabilities like chopping, amplification, filtering, digitization, and seamless wireless data communication.

The next phase of our project involves rigorous testing and validation. We plan to conduct in vivo trials with human subjects to assess the biosensor’s accuracy, reliability, and practical applicability in real-world scenarios. Through these trials, we aim to fine-tune the device’s functionality and ensure it meets the high standards required for deployment in military and athletic settings. The ultimate goal is to create a reliable, non-invasive tool that offers real-time insights into the physiological condition of individuals operating in demanding environments, thereby contributing significantly to their health, safety, and performance optimization.

 

Most progressive vision loss occurs when the first layer of the retina (the photoreceptors) is damaged. Retinal prostheses aim to restore vision by bypassing the damaged photoreceptors and directly stimulating the remaining healthy neurons. Our approach uses highly scaled technologies to reduce area and power, and to support hundreds of channels for fully intraocular implants.