Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Oliver G. Schmidt from Chemnitz University of Technology, scientists at the IFW Dresden in cooperation with the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (CBG) have now presented the world's smallest flexible microelectronic microcatheter.
In this smart microelectronic tool for minimally invasive surgery, electronic components for sensors and actuators are already integrated into the catheter wall from the outset. Previously, these had to be added by hand. Thanks to the special manufacturing process, the embedded electronic components have no effect on the size of the catheters, which can therefore be as thin as a single hair. The instruments have a tiny diameter of just 0.1 mm and are also characterized by their flexibility, resistance and high biocompatibility. The production of the microcatheter based on microchip technologies creates a completely new type of biomedical, multifunctional tool. Such smart tools could be used, for example, in minimally invasive treatments of aneurysms, vascular malformations or pancreatic interventions.
Source: TU Chemitz
