Dew Point
Seven can't miss highlights at ISSCC
Don Scansen
2/16/2011 8:40 AM EST
A 3µw Wirelessly Powered CMOS Glucose Sensor for an Active Contact Lens
This paper from University of Washington collaborators gets right to the heart (more like pancreas) of the theme of ISSCC 2011. I suppose it should since it appears in the microcosm session for the conference, Technologies for Health (Session 2, Monday). I'm ready to take the heat for sounding like this is just a convenient way to announce the birth of our third daughter, Jane, born last month, but my wife had gestational diabetes for the second time, so we are interested in any technology that can improve that experience.
Conventional glucose monitoring is tiresome at best and the constant finger pricking is certainly not fun. For those facing a lifetime with diabetes, this adds insult to the serious side of the disease. Real time monitoring would certainly offer real health benefits as well. However, the cynics among us may wonder if the cash cow of consumables for glucose monitoring might impede product development of the active contact lens monitor.
This paper from University of Washington collaborators gets right to the heart (more like pancreas) of the theme of ISSCC 2011. I suppose it should since it appears in the microcosm session for the conference, Technologies for Health (Session 2, Monday). I'm ready to take the heat for sounding like this is just a convenient way to announce the birth of our third daughter, Jane, born last month, but my wife had gestational diabetes for the second time, so we are interested in any technology that can improve that experience.
Conventional glucose monitoring is tiresome at best and the constant finger pricking is certainly not fun. For those facing a lifetime with diabetes, this adds insult to the serious side of the disease. Real time monitoring would certainly offer real health benefits as well. However, the cynics among us may wonder if the cash cow of consumables for glucose monitoring might impede product development of the active contact lens monitor.
|
|
|
|
|
Navigate to related information
caiogubel
2/16/2011 6:07 PM EST
Basic questions:
1.How long does it take for a product to be approved by the FDA? (Average)
2. If long (and therefore $$$) how can a small company compete in this market?
Sign in to Reply
Sheetal.Pandey
2/19/2011 2:44 PM EST
Good questions! I wonder if FDA offers to answer these question on their website on FAQs. I guess working with any government body is just patience...
Sign in to Reply
Jose.Bohorquez
2/21/2011 8:02 AM EST
It really all depends on the technology. Medical devices are divided into there classes (1,2,3), with class 1 being very simple things like crutches, class 2 being low to medium risk devices like EKG machines, and class 3 devices being high risk or life sustaining devices (think pacemakers). Most class 2 devices require "premarket notification (510k)" and most class 3 require "premarket approval (PMA)". The caveat is that to do a 510k, you need to be "substantially equivalent" to a "predicate device". Confused yet? Wait.. there's more. If you're a class 2 device and don't have a clear predicate, you are automatically classified as class 3 and have to do a PMA... EXCEPT, you can file for a "de novo" review which is much simpler :)
Bottom line is that the regulatory process is a big hurdle, but it's not insurmountable; even for a startup. You need good consultants, a solid plan, and a good quality management system. Check out the FDA website; it's actually quite helpful (although there is a LOT to read).
Sign in to Reply
goafrit
2/16/2011 7:39 PM EST
ISSCC is a pre-eminent conference in its category. Please blog regularly about this conference.
Sign in to Reply
rick.merritt
2/16/2011 8:11 PM EST
@caiogubel: There are two major FDA pathways. The simplest is called 510(k) aimed at devices similar to things already on the market. I am told it can take 9-18 months to prepare data for it and another 9-18 months to go through the formal FDA process to get it. Costs are all over the map. The more extensive path called PMA for new kinds of devices is longer and more expensive with costs varying greatly for both paths. Anyone please feel free to chime in if you have more detailed info.
Sign in to Reply
Charles.Desassure
2/18/2011 11:29 AM EST
Sound like an interesting conference. Please share more articles about this conference in the future.
Sign in to Reply
kinnar
2/18/2011 1:25 PM EST
It seems that solid state devices with be ruleing the world in the comming days, as the application of solid state devices in now not being limited to transistors and ics it is expanding its horizion.
Sign in to Reply
Luis Sanchez
2/18/2011 4:52 PM EST
The winner for me is the: A Telemetric Stress-Mapping CMOS Chip with 24 FET-Based Stress Sensors for Smart Orthodontic Brackets.
I never imagine before putting some electronics in the mouth for teeth purposes.
Sounds like a pretty good idea if the do it right.
I can imagine the data going to the mobile phone and perhaps creating a stress-scopic image that will show with a color code which teeth are under more stress or so.
If we allow our imagination to go even further in the future the brackets might become self adjusting and the visits to the doctor might become seldom. Sorry doctors.
Don't worry... that's the far future. :-)
Sign in to Reply
lifewingmate
2/19/2011 12:45 AM EST
@Don, Thank you for these highlights and for your best tips on how to make the most of the ISSCC. The round table plenaries sound like an excellent new feature. I was wondering on a social media front if there are hash tags and other ways we can track and follow the conference via Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook.
Sign in to Reply
Sheetal.Pandey
2/19/2011 2:45 PM EST
Liked the conference details and awareness.
Sign in to Reply
ManasK.RayChaudhuri
2/20/2011 8:41 PM EST
The awareness interests me wholly.
Sign in to Reply
docdivakar
3/2/2011 12:07 PM EST
@Luis Sanchez: well, if you want to see which tooth has high stress, that is quite easy, we can quote or stick thin-film pressure sensors! Remember those plastic rulers with this feature where you press your thumb to see how stressed you are? We have come a long way from that in advancements of materials technology. Now a days, you can get transparent electronic films that do the same!
Overall, I liked most of the 'can't miss' list but I reminisce those days when life was far less complicated! I wonder if we are unnecessarily complicating humanity's survival in the name of technological advancements!
Dr. MP Divakar
Sign in to Reply