Medical Devices
The integration of microsystems and electronic components in medical devices offers many advantages but also challenges. Biocompatibility and minimal intrusion are paramount for in-vivo devices such as pacemakers, cochlear implants, catheters and endoscopes; while sensitivity, accuracy, and minimal false positives and negatives are crucial for diagnostic devices. In addition, power requirements for implanted devices must be minimised, and bi-directional communication enabled at appropriate data rates for set-up, monitoring and control.
INEX has considerable experience in the development of medical device components such as stimulation and recording electrodes, flow monitors, and strain gauges, and blood-borne infection diagnostics. Our cutting edge development and manufacturing facility and integrated cell and molecular biology laboratory are used to support our customers develop the next generation of medical and diagnostic devices.
Medical diagnostics
Point of Care Diagnostics (POCD), personalised medicine and more informed patients are driving the requirement for rapid and cost effective diagnosis of the causes of illnesses and the state of well-being using miniaturised disposable devices.
Drug discovery and development
Drug discovery and development is undergoing a revolution. Microsystems have the potential to be the next-generation drug discovery and development technology platform, shortening lead times, reducing reagent volumes and increasing the reaction specificity.
Drug delivery systems
The ability to deliver the right amount of drug, at the right time, in the right place is crucial for the effective treatment of illness and disease. Whilst the post-genomic era promises highly targeted drugs there is still a requirement to find new and better ways to deliver those drugs within the body. Microsystems technologies enable the controlled release of agents in a highly miniaturised, cheap, low-power and minimally-invasive manner.
Lab on a chip technology encompasses actuators and sensors for sample preparation and analyte detection. INEX expertise spans all sample processing functions needed for final multiplexed molecular recognition using optical, electrochemical, or other methods. Cellular and molecular manipulations are driven by microfluidics, and microparticles can be used to enhance sensitivity, reduce background, and enable directed transport and separation.
