"Metal mesh element" antenna technology for blood test elements

Starting with the "2011 International Modern Hospital Exhibition" (July 13-15, 2011), medical exhibitions have been held in Japan in recent weeks. For the first time, Murata Manufacturing participated in all of these exhibitions and vigorously introduced the company's development policy in the medical field. Murata Manufacturing has roughly proposed two directions. One is to actively promote general electronic components in the medical field. For example, multilayer ceramic capacitors, which were previously mainly supplied to automobiles, will be "also suitable for the medical device" field due to their high reliability. For other electronic components, Murata Manufacturing will also expand sales in the future based on detailed inspections of reliability and other aspects.

　　Figure 1: Development of components for blood testing

　　(a) is a metal mesh element developed by Murata Manufacturing. The target reacts with the metal mesh element that has been coated with the host in advance, and the frequency characteristics of the electromagnetic wave are used to determine whether the host and the target are combined (b). (Figure (b) was created by this site based on the information of Murata Manufacturing)

　　Another direction is to develop electronic components with functions dedicated to the medical field. Murata Manufacturing is preparing to use its superior technology in development. For example, for medical examinations such as blood tests, Murata Manufacturing has demonstrated a "metal mesh component" that uses antenna technology. This component does not require the marking process required in previous medical examinations, and can significantly reduce the time and cost of the examination (Figure 1). The goal is to put it into practical use in five years.

　　Medical examinations require confirmation of whether the "target" to be examined has combined with the "host" (antigen-antibody reaction). The developed product only requires the target to be dripped onto a metal mesh element with the host applied to the surface in advance. Electromagnetic waves are used to determine whether the two are combined. The principle is that "when electromagnetic waves are irradiated to the metal mesh element, the peak value of the output electromagnetic wave frequency characteristics will change" in the case of combination and non-combination, and the company's antenna technology plays a role in this. "When irradiating electromagnetic waves, the design that maximizes the electromagnetic wave energy intensity of the metal mesh part is a key to realizing the product."

　　In the above series of exhibitions, in addition to Murata Manufacturing, other companies have also taken measures to apply their own advantageous technologies to the medical field. For example, Panasonic Electric has applied mounting technology to capsule cameras, Dai Nippon Printing has applied TFT technology to biosensors, and Texas Instruments has applied DLP technology to vein visualization systems. These measures are expected to further accelerate the development of medical electronics in the future.