Space saving mixed signal FPGAs for improving processing power and memory capacity as a replacement for μCs in portable biosensor devices

Abstract

Living cells are extremely complex microsystems, which internally use biochemical and electronic signals for signal processing. These nonlinear and kinetic reactions are conceived as a quantitative collaboration of the cell as a biological system, whose output signals can be indicators for growth, mitosis, morphology, but could also be a quantity for the vitality of the surrounding micro environment on equal terms. These assays based on whole cell analysis techniques are very sensitive when exposed to external influences. The effect of different substances and toxic agents can be observed marker-free and in real time. The potential to understand the dynamics of the cellular processes justified the development of a handheld lab on chip system (see Fig. 1). The cells are regarded here as signal converters. The presented work herein is concerned with the conceptual development of a Handheld device, that have been optimized for the use in mobile biomedical multi-parametric analytics. On the electrochemical basis of sensor chips on a ceramic substrate made in thin-film technology, the measurement of cellphysiological parameters in the extracellular surrounding became possible. Sensors for pH, oxygen partial pressure, impedance, electrical potentials and temperature for the simultaneous in-vitro measurement of metabolic, morphologic and electrophysiological parameters were combined with a miniaturized mixed signal electronic, to allow local (Point of Care) analyses. A focus was put on the simulation of the various circuit parts, as well as the measurement of the electrical impedance. On this basis it was possible for the first time that food analysis could be shown without complex laboratory-technical investigation. The presented measurement results prove that this system approach with the acquired concepts is a serious alternative to commercially available solutions. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.