The project aims to develop a multi-sensing device implantable into blood vessels, such as peripheral veins or arteries, to support the monitoring of body parameters and, thus, the health status of a person. Once implanted in patients with cardiovascular diseases, the microsensor system will implement a platform with multiple sensing capabilities, targeting hemodynamic and biochemical parameters. An overview of the final platform is reported in the attached image. The miniaturized sensing device that will be designed and developed will enable continuous monitoring not only of a single parameter but of a variety of them, providing comprehensive information about blood vessel and the health status of patients. Indeed, compared to other sensors already present in the literature or in the market, the new device will incorporate multiple sensors, all integrated into a platform measuring only 1-2 cm long and 2-4 mm in diameter. This overall integration, which represents one of the most innovative aspects of the project, is allowed using advanced fabrication techniques. These techniques enable, first, the fabrication of sensors at the microscale and, second, facilitate their transfer, assembly, and connection onto the supporting frame. The sensors will target the measurement of blood pressure, vessel deformation, oximetry, haematocrit as well as the detection of specific cardiovascular biomarkers. The primary objective -and the long-term vision of the project- is to remotely provide physicians with a high number of crucial information useful for rapid and early intervention against heart failures in patients. Indeed, the implanted system will be connected with (and powered by) an external data collection and communication system coupled through standardized wireless technology, or even simply by a smartphone in case of asynchronous on‐demand monitoring. The specific sensors that will be implemented within the project are a strain gauge for vessels deformation, pressure sensor for blood pressure and hemodynamics, micro-spectrometer for haematocrit and oximetry, micro electrodes for electrochemical detection, photonic crystal biosensor for glucose detection, organic transistors based biosensors for cardiac troponins (attached figure).
The main objective of the proposal is the development of the multisensory miniaturized device that can be implanted in vessels and transfer the measured data wirelessly. Other specific and measurable objectives are related to the development of each sensor, demonstrated through suitable and specific experimental proof-of-concept demos. Specifically, the development of each individual sensor and the achievement of its target values are objectives in themselves.
