Wireless Sensors Monitoring Human Brain
Introduction
Have you ever wondered about humans becoming cyborg? Electronic biosensors were built to make them possible. The emerging field of Bio-electronic medicine provides an exciting new alternative to treat neurological disorders. These wireless electronic sensors can monitor and stimulate nerves and muscles in real time. Wireless brain sensors are specifically designed to monitor the intracranial pressure and temperature of patients with severe traumatic brain injuries within the skull region or those suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. These kinds of injuries frequently cause swelling in the brain thus constricting oxygen supply and blood flow, which may lead to permanent brain damage.
Methodology
Neurosurgeons from Washington University School of Medicine at St. Louis and engineers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign worked on development of a clinically usable pressure sensor which consists of a polylactic-co-glycolic acid membrane suspended in a frame of magnesium and silicon. In due course, the electrical resistance of silicon sensor changes as per the pressure of the surrounding fluid that causes folding or bending of the membrane. An absorbable, watertight polymer is additionally wrapped around the complete sensor device. This degradability sets the lifetime of the sensor. Furthermore, any organ system throughout the body can be monitored with the help of this technology. The device can dissolve or degrade into non-toxic components inside the cerebrospinal fluid when the critical period is over by eliminating the need for surgical removal of the device which minimizes various infections, chronic inflammation and erosion of skin or organs. These sensors could also help in delivery of drugs to the brain with the incorporation of microelectrodes which would stimulate or record neuronal activity.
Challenges and future scope
Significantly technological advancements in the field of brain-computer interfaces have been leading to continuous progression of brain sensors. At present, sensors used are remotely accessible through wireless connectivity. Being fully biocompatible and therefore safer, the fabrication process is also cheaper and more environment-friendly than that used for existing technologies. Brain-computer interfaces are designed to assist people with severe paralysis and to control these devices with their thoughts in order to perform everyday functions.
Increasing ubiquity of neurological disorders shall most likely enhance the market growth of wireless brain sensors. Some of the other factors such as varying social environment, technological advancement, increasing Research and development investment, rising awareness about the advantages of neurological disorders, and increasing reports of dementia will drive the wireless brain sensor market in the forecast period of 2020 to 2027.
References
- Kang, SK., Murphy, R., Hwang, SW. et al. Bioresorbable silicon electronic sensors for the brain. Nature 530, 71–76 (2016). https://www.nature.com/articles/nature16492
- Wireless Brain Sensors — A Breakthrough in Medical Plastics, citius minds https://www.citiusminds.com/blog/wireless-brain-sensors-a-breakthrough-in-medical-plastics/
- Dissolvable wireless sensors monitor brain injury https://www.theguardian.com/science/neurophilosophy/2016/jan/19/dissolvable-wireless-sensors-monitor-brain-injury
