Introduction to Bio-Medical CMOS IC

Abstract

Living a healthy life without threatening or debilitating illness is our primary hope and the medical systems and services continue to strive to guarantee it. Nevertheless, in developed countries, the per capita cost of care keeps rising and this is a threat to sustained healthcare. Recently, many promising technological advances in IT are about to change our concept about healthcare, as well as the provision of medical cares. For example, the telemedicine, e-hospital, and ubiquitous healthcare are enabled by emerging wireless broadband communication technology. While initially becoming main-stream for portable devices such as note book computers and smart phones, wireless communication is evolving towards wearable solutions and even implantable solutions are being introduced. Such healthcare devices rely on WSN (Wireless Sensor Network) and BSN (Body Sensor Network). Before the advent of these technologies, healthcare provided centralized care (at the doctor΄s office or at the hospital) which came with a penalty in cost and time. With the help of IT technology and the deployment of wearable healthcare, people are largely breaking free from these limitations and will be able to monitor their health condition anywhere and at any time while being able to get the expert΄s help whenever needed. This will enable a more individualized and more proactive healthcare, and these new concepts and systems are expected to change our daily lives as well as medical profession and its industry. ˵E-Healthcare″ or ˵U-Healthcare″ is a recent term for healthcare supported by information and communication technology in general, and by small personal wireless monitoring devices in particular. An important emerging example is remote and continuous wireless vital signs monitoring. The combination of two technologies, ultra-low power sensor technology and ultra-low power wireless communication technology, enables long-term continuous monitoring and feedback to medical professionals wherever needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]