2
R. Garcia-Ramirez and S. Hosseini
every single device. Despite the fact that BioMEMS are a trend nowadays, the origin
of micro systems used in life sciences, such as biology and/or neurology, are surprisingly old. Figure 1.1 shows a timeline with some of the most important BioMEMS
milestones. Although many authors (Madou 2011; Folch 2016; Saliterman 2006)
have reported the origins of BioMEMS in the late 1980s and early 1990s, preceding
studies had already created BioMEMS technology without the use of such term.
Table 1.1 demonstrates the first BioMEMS platforms in chronological order in great
detail.
1.2 BioMEMS
1.2.1 Advantages of BioMEMS
BioMEMS offer various advantages over traditional methods that are worthwhile
exploring, including a small device dimension and sample volume, portability,
reliability in replication, high throughput performance, multifunctionality, possible
automation, among others. The small device dimension provides obvious advantages
as these devices possess a potential for miniaturization, whether in-vivo or in-vitro,
including reduced manufacturing costs for devices as µTAS (micro-total-analysis
systems) and LOC (lab-on-a-chip) devices. The smaller devices also benefit from
the small sample size and reagents, in order to perform the same reaction that bulkier
devices would need. The physical space they require and ease of portability is another
advantage that BioMEMS have in contrast to their counterpart large pieces of lab
equipment. Furthermore, BioMEMS devices provide multifunctionality that allows
individual instruments to be integrated within one single device. This, in turn, facilitates automation, a feature that plays vital role in such devices. Fully integrated
and automated devices can run the analysis with least human intervention. This is
of great importance particularly when facing unknown or newly known dangerous
illnesses. Considering the portability and the lightweight of such devices, they make
great candidates for extreme point of care (EPOC) in remote and/or rural settings
where there are no centralized laboratories. Equipment-free readouts, mass transfer
of data, and/or readouts via smart phones and devices are the alternative analytical
strategies linked to BioMEMS.
Nowadays, BioMEMS are one of the fastest growing fields in the world, because
of the implications that it could create in multiple industries including the health
sector, in particular in hospitals and healthcare facilities (Experts 2019). The current
research regarding BioMEMS has increased at an accelerating rate. Since the first use
of the term BioMEMS in the 1990s, there has been a constant increase in publications
regarding this field. According to Clarivate Analytics the number of cites per year
containing BioMEMS as a keyword has increased from less than 100 in the year 2000
to over 1600 in 2018. The global BioMEMS Market stood at 2.45 billion dollars in
2014 and predictions suggest it will grow above 25% by 2024, mostly due to the
R. Garcia-Ramirez and S. Hosseini
every single device. Despite the fact that BioMEMS are a trend nowadays, the origin
of micro systems used in life sciences, such as biology and/or neurology, are surprisingly old. Figure 1.1 shows a timeline with some of the most important BioMEMS
milestones. Although many authors (Madou 2011; Folch 2016; Saliterman 2006)
have reported the origins of BioMEMS in the late 1980s and early 1990s, preceding
studies had already created BioMEMS technology without the use of such term.
Table 1.1 demonstrates the first BioMEMS platforms in chronological order in great
detail.
1.2 BioMEMS
1.2.1 Advantages of BioMEMS
BioMEMS offer various advantages over traditional methods that are worthwhile
exploring, including a small device dimension and sample volume, portability,
reliability in replication, high throughput performance, multifunctionality, possible
automation, among others. The small device dimension provides obvious advantages
as these devices possess a potential for miniaturization, whether in-vivo or in-vitro,
including reduced manufacturing costs for devices as µTAS (micro-total-analysis
systems) and LOC (lab-on-a-chip) devices. The smaller devices also benefit from
the small sample size and reagents, in order to perform the same reaction that bulkier
devices would need. The physical space they require and ease of portability is another
advantage that BioMEMS have in contrast to their counterpart large pieces of lab
equipment. Furthermore, BioMEMS devices provide multifunctionality that allows
individual instruments to be integrated within one single device. This, in turn, facilitates automation, a feature that plays vital role in such devices. Fully integrated
and automated devices can run the analysis with least human intervention. This is
of great importance particularly when facing unknown or newly known dangerous
illnesses. Considering the portability and the lightweight of such devices, they make
great candidates for extreme point of care (EPOC) in remote and/or rural settings
where there are no centralized laboratories. Equipment-free readouts, mass transfer
of data, and/or readouts via smart phones and devices are the alternative analytical
strategies linked to BioMEMS.
Nowadays, BioMEMS are one of the fastest growing fields in the world, because
of the implications that it could create in multiple industries including the health
sector, in particular in hospitals and healthcare facilities (Experts 2019). The current
research regarding BioMEMS has increased at an accelerating rate. Since the first use
of the term BioMEMS in the 1990s, there has been a constant increase in publications
regarding this field. According to Clarivate Analytics the number of cites per year
containing BioMEMS as a keyword has increased from less than 100 in the year 2000
to over 1600 in 2018. The global BioMEMS Market stood at 2.45 billion dollars in
2014 and predictions suggest it will grow above 25% by 2024, mostly due to the