The goal of this review will be to first introduce basic MEMS fabrication techniques and materials currently utilized by researchers and industry. Given that nephrologists already comfortably manipulate complex mechanical, fluidic systems for renal replacement, it is only natural to incorporate MEMS technology to better diagnose, monitor, and improve the care of kidney disease patients. 2, 4- 6 Despite the recent strides made in the use of MEMS, the technology remains a relatively untapped tool in nephrology. 4 There have been new developments in a vast array of innovative MEMS devices such as implantable biosensors and monitors, novel drug delivery devices, rapid point-of-care-testing, and all encompassing lab-on-a-chip devices. 2- 4 The push for cost-effective technologies that can improve the delivery and management of healthcare has resulted in growing excitement for MEMS technology. MEMS currently permeates our everyday life from airbag accelerometers to ink jet printers and is emerging in prominence for use in biomedical devices and diagnostics. 2 Therefore, MEMS now represents a generalized term that refers to devices with miniaturized features based on modified techniques adapted from the microelectronics industry. The broadened definition of MEMS has resulted in a variety of terms such as microsystems, microdevices, and micromachines that are often used interchangeably with MEMS. The fabrication techniques have also evolved significantly from those that were originally developed for silicon semiconductor production to now include molding, embossing, and printing techniques used with polymer and gel materials. However, over the past two decades, the term MEMS has broadened considerably to encompass not only mechanical and electronic microdevices, but also includes integrated fluidics, optics, and biochemical systems. 2 These devices were micro-sensors and micro-actuators that had feature sizes on the order of a few microns (one millionth of a meter). The term MEMS originally referred to the use of fabrication techniques borrowed from the microelectronics industry for the manufacturing of miniaturized devices with integrated mechanical and electrical systems. To maintain this crucial relationship, this review will introduce nephrologists to the innovative realm of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). The life-sustaining treatment of millions of patients worldwide with hemodialysis 1 is a testament to the successful interplay between nephrology and engineering.
Since the advent of renal replacement therapy, nephrology has remained at the interface between clinical medicine and engineering. This review will serve as an introduction for nephrologists to the exciting world of MEMS. The adoption of MEMS offers novel avenues to improve the care of kidney disease patients and assist nephrologists in clinical practice. Finally, MEMS technology specific to nephrology will be highlighted and future applications will be examined. Next, a survey of MEMS devices being developed for various biomedical applications will be illustrated with current examples. To introduce nephrologists to MEMS, this review will first define relevant terms and describe the basic processes used to fabricate MEMS devices. The adoption of MEMS has the potential to revolutionize how nephrologists manage kidney disease by improving the delivery of renal replacement therapies and enhancing the monitoring of physiologic parameters. MEMS also offers the possibility to integrate multiple components into a single device. The enthusiasm stems from the ability to create small-scale device features with high precision in a cost effective manner. The future landscape of clinical medicine and research will only see further expansion of MEMS based technologies in device designs and applications.
Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) is playing a prominent role in the development of many new and innovative biomedical devices, but remains a relatively underutilized technology in nephrology.
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