Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems

MEMS IN MEDICINE is an informative, well written article. Author Ken Gilleo, Ph.D., conveys technical information in a reader friendly way. He enables those, not having expertise in biotechnology, to grasp details while enjoying the effort- no small feat. MEMs is an acronym for Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems which are chips in semiconductor fabs. They perform both electronic functions and mechanical actions making them both sensory and control devices. They are found in ink jet printers and automobiles and other types of items as well. Perhaps even more meaningful to many of us, they have medical utility involving blood pressure measurement and ion detection.

MEMS are able to integrate systems by using miniature devices and micron size parts. Examples provided by Ken Gilleo include separators, injectors and micron sized motors as well as miniature gears, propellers, turbines, pumps, radiation sensors and mirrors. The miniaturized technology enables the integration of data derived from physical phenomenon as diverse as light, sound, motion, biochemistry and radio waves. Computation is centered on a single chip. The idea being a mimicking of our senses- sight, hearing, smell and touch. The chip is the "brain center" able to regulate input and output, respond to signals, exercise control and organize data. MEMS offers the possibility of exceeding current human sensory capabilities as well as providing for correction of missing functions.

Besides sensory functions possibilities like the detection of defective DNA, pumping fluids and drug dispensal are in the offing. A merging of motion, sensory capabilities and computation offers powerful potential. The technology is still in its infancy and biomedical electronic system industries are growing within the United States while the more standard electronic industries, for the most part, have left the USA for foreign lands.