Big developments in miniaturising mobile health monitoring technology
The EU-funded M6 (Micro- multi-material manufacture to enable multifunctional miniaturised devices) project provided a virtual platform for research collaboration between specialists in innovative and future-oriented solutions. Overall, the aim was to take medical diagnostics out of research and hospital labs, and bring them to the patient's bedside, where information on possible health risks could be provided in real time. Work began by mapping the state of the art in novel materials and manufacturing technologies applied to various potential miniaturised devices. Through research collaborations and exchange schemes, thanks to an international secondment programme, M6 covered a diverse range of research topics at partner organisations in Germany, the United Kingdom, as well as China and Japan. Eight seconded researchers focused their efforts on possible challenges and issues faced in integrating miniaturised devices with novel materials and processes, characterising and testing, and demonstrating manufacturability and reliability. Specifically, research activities centred around cutting-edge advancements, namely a health monitoring technology platform called point-of-care testing (POCT) for in-vitro diagnosis (IVD) and in-vivo and non-invasive physiological assessment. This led to the development of an automatic IVD POCT for immune particle assays, and a new in-vivo and remote POCT for non-invasive blood flow assessment. M6's next-generation POCT is blazing a trail in diagnostic and clinical assessment technologies, while laying the groundwork for various biomedical technology innovations. This will enable Europe and China to take the lead in tomorrow's miniaturised devices and products. Citizens also stand to benefit with increased access to modern medicine that allows for earlier diagnosis, therapy and treatment.
Keywords
Health monitoring technology, M6, miniaturised devices, point-of-care testing, in-vitro diagnosis
