MicroCHIPS

By using individual microreservoirs to store and protect the reagent, microchip activation to expose the reagent and telemetry to communicate the resulting signal, a long-term implantable sensor can be achieved. This can provide real-time feedback on a number of analytes, which could enable improved management and treatment of a variety of disease states.

In many sensing applications, the challenges are similar to those of drug delivery:

Long term storage and protection of the reagent
Exposure of the reagent to the desired environment
Signal transmission to networked environments

The implantation is done with local anesthetic in an outpatient setting.

First application: Continuous Glucose Monitoring for Diabetes

For the over 25 million diabetics in the US, and over 200 million people world-wide, closely managing glucose levels is critical to avoiding the acute dangers of low blood sugar and the long term complications of prolonged hyperglycemia. Complications from poorly controlled diabetes include cardiovascular disease, renal failure, blindness and amputation. In 2007 US healthcare costs directly linked to diabetes were estimated at $174 billion (2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet, American Diabetes Association). MicroCHIPS' first biochemical sensor product in development is a continuous glucose sensing platform designed to transform how people with diabetes manage the condition.

The development of a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) has been attempted and abandoned by a number of companies and researchers. The MicroCHIPS approach solves several of the more vexing problems associated with an implantable sensor including the biological fouling of the sensor and the need for an oxygen source to drive the chemical reaction that detects glucose levels. The MicroCHIPS device has been demonstrated in an animal model, and delivers glucose concentration values that match those of traditional non-continuous methods.

MicroCHIPS' continuous glucose monitor will be a discreet, long-term implanted monitor designed to wirelessly deliver continuous, convenient, reliable and accurate glucose measurements. Sophisticated alerts and alarms will be designed to provide additional peace of mind and security — if glucose levels fluctuate beyond pre-set boundaries, alerts can warn the user, or his/her caregivers, of the condition.