 
MEMS Could Unlock Door to Early Diagnosis, Intervention in Cardiovascular Disease
To this end, researchers from the College of Engineering and Applied Science and the CU-Health Sciences Center have pooled their engineering and clinical expertise to form a new center called MicroElectronic Devices in Cardiovascular Applications, or MEDICA. The center's mission is to foster excellence and scientific advancement in the study and utilization of MEMS in cardiovascular applications. MEMS, an acronym for MicroElectroMechanical Systems, are sub-engineering systems that can be built using silicon wafer fabrication technology on a micro-scale. This developing field promises to reduce the size and weight of many sensors and actuators. Pressure and flow sensors, remote communication systems and mechanical systems such as pumps and motors can be manufactured on a micro-dimensional scale for medical applications. In one potential application, CU researchers are investigating the possibility of using MEMS for early detection of restenosis, or re-narrowing of the arteries, which can take place in about 25 percent of the patients who have undergone balloon angioplasty followed by coronary stenting. The proposal is to mount a set of MEMS devices on the stent to continuously monitor pressure, flow rate, and restenosis, and trigger an alarm if any parameters exceed normal limits. Such localized physiological information can provide invaluable information to the patient and physician for early detection and treatment of disease. Faculty members engaged in this and other MEMS research with cardiovascular applications include Victor Bright, K.C. Gupta, Jean Hertzberg, Roop L. Mahajan (co-director, MEDICA), and Shankar Mahalingam from the College of Engineering and Applied Science; and Dr. Curt DeGroff, Robin Shandas, Dr. Lilliam Valdes-Cruz (co-director, MEDICA), and Dr. John Carroll (co-director, MEDICA) from the CU-Health Sciences Center. With advancement in technology, locally implanted micro-actuators such as pumps and motors could provide the physician with remotely controlled on-site treatment tools without the need for further invasive procedures. Finally, the chronic in vivo information can help enhance our basic understanding of the progression of disease. "There are significant technological challenges, however, that must be met before the deployment of micro-devices for in vivo monitoring and on-site treatment can become a reality," Professor Mahajan says. "These relate to packaging of these devices with FDA approved bio-compatible materials and the development of wireless telemetry for remote sensing. We are actively engaged in research on these problems and are confident of developing path-finding solutions."  Engineering Home |
Cardiovascular and related diseases affect a significant majority of the adult population in the western world. Advancements in surgery and anesthesia have dramatically improved patient prognosis and disease treatment over the last few decades. However, with the average life span of the population on the increase, cardiovascular health care costs are expected to rise. To control these costs and to improve the quality of life of the affected population, early diagnosis and intervention coupled with a fundamental understanding of the progression of the disease are needed.