Researchers from Washington State University have developed a biofuel-driven implantable sensor that can operate on sugar to monitor the body's biological signals to detect, prevent, and diagnose disease.
An interdisciplinary team led by Subhanshu Gupta, an assistant professor at the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Washington State University, developed the unique sensor, powered by a biofuel cell that collects glucose from body fluids to keep it running.
The research team demonstrated the unique integration of biofuel cells with electronic components to handle physiological and biochemical signals with high sensitivity.
Their research results were recently published in the IEEE Transactions of Circuits and Systems journal.
Su Ha and Alla Kostyukova, professors at the University of Washington State University's School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, led the design of biofuel cells.
Currently popular sensors for disease detection are watches that need to be recharged, or patches that need to be attached to the skin. These patches are surface-surface and cannot be embedded. Sensors developed by the Washington State University team eliminate the need to puncture your fingers to detect a disease such as diabetes.
Gupta pointed out that "human body fluids carry a lot of fuel, which is produced by blood sugar or lactic acid around the skin and the mouth. The use of biofuel cells opens the door to the body as a potential fuel."
He said that the electronic components in the sensor are designed and manufactured in the most advanced way, requiring only a few microwatts of power and high sensitivity. Combining these electronic components with biofuel cells will make them more efficient than traditional battery powered devices. Since the device relies on glucose in the body, the electronic components of the sensor can be powered indefinitely. For example, the sensor can operate solely on sugar generated under the skin.
Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, biofuel cells are completely non-toxic and therefore more promising as human implants. In addition, it is more stable and sensitive than traditional biofuel cells.
Researchers say that with economies of scale, the sensors they develop can be mass-produced to reduce manufacturing costs.
Although the sensor has been tested in the laboratory, the researchers hope to be able to test and demonstrate in the capillaries, which requires regulatory approval. Researchers are also working to further improve and increase the power output of biofuel cells.
Gupta added, "Combining biofuel cell technology with advanced electronic components will make a 'sale' and we can anticipate a variety of future applications."
Research team members include Yuehe Lin and Annie Du from the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, and Martin Schiavenato, who was previously at the Washington State University School of Nursing and now at Walden University. The project to develop sensors was funded by the Washington State University Grand Challenges Seed Fund.
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