Injectable wireless microsensors based on the eaxon technology
Within the eAXON project, which is funded by an ERC CoG, we are developing a technology for neuroprosthetics which consists of wireless microstimulators whose operation is based on rectification of galvanically conducted bursts of high frequency current. In addition to the microstimulators technology, we have conceived and protected a technology for the development of implantable sensing systems with an unprecedented level of minimal invasiveness. The sensing technology consists of a very thin implant and an external unit able to wirelessly interrogate the implant for obtaining measurements related to physical or chemical magnitudes in the implant or in its vicinity. In contrast to previous implantable sensing technologies, our technology allows the implementation of thread-like implants; flexible and very thin (diameter < 1 mm). Such level of miniaturization is possible because our technology avoids the need of bulky components within the implants (e.g. batteries or coils) for power and communications. The proposed PoC project is essentially intended to pave the way for a spin-off company aimed at further developing and clinically validating the technology for a specific clinical need.