Physiolas
Listening to molecules: miniaturized photoacoustic sensors for non-invasive biomarker monitoring
These new-generation photoacoustic sensors combine laser sources emitting in the mid-infrared range with a photoacoustic cell and integrated microphones. Molecules of interest absorb the light emitted by the laser sources in a unique way, generating acoustic waves that can be used to measure molecule trace concentrations. This exclusive CEA-Leti technology can be miniaturized to the extreme and is compatible with volume manufacturing. It opens the door to selective real-time monitoring of biomarkers, including glucose, and of certain gases in the environment.
What it can do
This technology and the associated silicon CMOS and MEMS low-cost volume manufacturing processes address several markets:
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Sports, health, nutrition, and wellness: real-time monitoring of multiple biomarkers with a connected, non-invasive wearable device
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Medical: real-time glucose monitoring with a non-invasive wearable device that has already been clinically tested
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Environment, industrial process control, and quality control: gas emissions monitoring with a connected stand-alone device
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Safety: screening for toxic substances to comply with future transportation-industry standards
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What makes it unique
This mid-infrared spectroscopy technique is still little-used outside of laboratory environments at the state of the art due to the cost and size of the equipment. CEA-Leti’s innovative concept promises to remove the barriers that have prevented the wider-spread use of current solutions. CEA-Leti brings years of research and development spanning the miniaturization and integration of photonic components on silicon, advanced software, digital twins, and machine learning to this innovation.
- Mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers and photoacoustic cells manufactured using CMOS and MEMS technology, respectively, guaranteeing rapid transfer to a commercial fab for volume markets
- Compatible with volume manufacturing at a cost of $1 per CMOS laser (or less in some cases) and less than $10 per sensor
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Working with CEA-Leti
This technology is ready to be developed and industrialized for partners. Companies of all types and sizes can work with CEA-Leti on projects across the entire value chain through single-partner R&D contracts or multi-partner affiliate programs. CEA-Leti’s mission is to bring this breakthrough technology to the market as quickly as possible, enabling new capabilities for next-generation products. And, with CEA-Leti’s “lab-to-fab” model, each project is supported until the technology is ready for transfer. Finally, CEA-Leti brings a “compliant by design” approach to developments for medical devices. The institute’s knowledge of the regulatory environment ensures that end products are ready for commercialization.
Scientific publication
Coutard, J.G. et al. (2024). Neogly™ QCL-based NI-CGM medical device. Proc. SPIE 12838, Biophotonics in Exercise Science, Sports Medicine, Health Monitoring Technologies, and Wearables V, 1283802.
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