Conclusion and Future Trends
With the advance in nanotechnology and the use of materials such as silicon and CNT with excellent mechanical, optical and electrochemical properties, the factor that prevents the widespread use of implantable devices for clinical monitoring is their low
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Conclusion and Future Trends
With the advance in nanotechnology and the use of materials such as silicon and CNT with excellent mechanical, optical and electrochemical properties, the factor that prevents the widespread use of implantable devices for clinical monitoring is their low reliability. Some recent approaches to tackle accuracy have been to develop non-enzymatic biosensors and biomolecular ‘switches’, such as aptamers that undergo conformational changes upon binding to the target molecule (Vlandas et al. 2010; Plaxco and Soh 2011). However, biocompatibility is still an issue for implantable devices. The general trend has been to improve the biosensor coating to avoid biofouling. Promising results have been observed with VEGF and NO generation or release. Nevertheless, further investigation to develop new materials and methods is required. Alternatively, sampling techniques are being used, eliminating or at least exceptionally reducing the biocompatibility issues of implantable biosensors. Microdialysis coupled to biosensors has been shown to combine selectivity with rapid detection, a powerful technique for point of care and home care monitoring. The latest advances have seen microfluidic chips working as interface to overcome temporal and spatial resolution by developing droplet based connections between the probe and the sensor (Rogers et al. 2011; Malecha et al. 2011). The development of MD probes with integrated microfluidic devices or capsules for the incorporation of biosensors online might be the next approach taken by microdialysis developers. Wireless technology and power source are important features to consider when developing implantable devices for continuous physiological data collection. Bluetooth technology is increasingly being used (Kaputa et al. 2010) and biofuel cells based on enzyme modified electrodes provide the possibility of using the same technology for recognition and power purposes (Ramanavicius et al. 2008). The latter has been tested in vivo in a recent publication where enzyme-modified electrodes implanted in living lobsters were capable of activating a digital watch (MacVittie et al. 2013).
E. P. Córcoles and M. G. Boutelle, Biosensors and Invasive Monitoring in Clinical Applications, SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-00360-3_11, © The Author(s) 2013
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11 Conclusion and Future Trends
Implantable devices that combine biosensing capabilities and drug delivery systems are in the forefront of biomedical investigations (Gultepe et al. 2010; de la Rica et al. 2012). These envisioned close-loop systems have the potential to trigger the release of the drug depending on the diagnosis provided by the sensing mechanism. An example of this technology is composite microparticles that release insulin in response to the glucose concentration in the medium (Yin et al. 2010). An interesting review in close-loop insulin delivery systems, or artificial pancreas, discusses advantages and limitations as well as the potential future developments
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