How STMicroelectronics Is Powering Medical Innovations

Industrial technology companies are stepping into the medical field, driving advancements that reshape healthcare. By combining their engineering expertise with the needs of medical practitioners, these partnerships are enabling transformative solutions, from advanced brain measurement devices to wearable cardiac monitors. Semiconductor manufacturer STMicroelectronics, for example, is partnering with DuPont and Kernel, demonstrating that cross-industry innovation is key to tackling complex health challenges, enhancing patient outcomes, and reducing costs.

1/ STMicroelectronics and DuPont: Revolutionizing Cardiac Monitoring 

STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor manufacturer, has partnered with science company DuPont to develop the DuPont Liveo Smart Biosensing Patch, an advanced wearable device designed for remote cardiac monitoring. 

This flexible electronic skin patch integrates STMicroelectronics’ compact electronics and biosensors with DuPont’s medical-grade conductive tape and soft skin adhesive. The patch synchronizes dual measurements of electrical and mechanical biosignals, specifically electrocardiography (ECG) and seismocardiography (SCG). This synchronization enables the derivation of vital signs and health indicators, providing comprehensive cardiac monitoring.

The collaboration leverages STMicroelectronics’ expertise in analog sensing, accelerometers, analog-to-digital conversion, motion analysis, and embedded digital processing with artificial intelligence (AI). DuPont contributes its recognized medical-grade technologies, ensuring non-irritating and non-traumatic adhesive removal, allowing for long-term wear and monitoring of vital signs for seven days or more. 

This partnership exemplifies the integration of advanced semiconductor technology with innovative medical materials, aiming to enhance patient monitoring and diagnostics. The smart patch’s compact design and multifunctional capabilities represent a significant advancement in wearable health technology, offering a cost-effective and reliable solution for continuous cardiac monitoring. 

For more info on this topic, read the article published in our sister publication, MedicalExpo e-magazine.

2/ STMicroelectronics and Kernel: Advancing Brain Measurement Technology

Kernel, a California-based company, has introduced the Kernel Flow, a wearable brain measurement headset designed to revolutionize the diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of neurological conditions. This advanced, non-invasive, and portable neuro-measurement platform utilizes time-domain functional near-infrared spectroscopy (TD-fNIRS) technology to provide detailed maps of brain activity patterns. The headset’s design, resembling a motorbike helmet, allows for natural head motion and real-world measurements, facilitating large-scale data collection without compromising research-grade data quality.

STMicroelectronics provided their single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) technology, which offered a unique combination of low power consumption and high-level on-chip processing. This was crucial in ensuring patient comfort by preventing the headset from overheating, given the numerous detectors positioned around the head.

In June 2024, Kernel Flow completed its first clinical study, successfully detecting mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among 100 participants, half of whom had MCI. This achievement underscores the device’s potential in improving patient outcomes through accurate detection of brain conditions. The long-term objective is to translate neuroimaging research findings into clinical applications, potentially aiding in the research and treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, depression, and anxiety.

For more info on this topic, read the article published in our sister publication, MedicalExpo e-magazine.