Vital Sensors
Instrumentation
The group is working in the field of vital sensors especially concerning innovative smart sensors for bio-medical applications. The focus is the acquisition and analysis of various bio-medical signals of the human body. Often optical measurement techniques are applied. Typical examples for these optical sensor principles are laser Doppler flowmetry interferometry, spectroscopy and polarimetry as utilized in non-contact tonometry and non-invasive glucose monitor.
Apart from these optical principles also standard applications are implemented and optimized. Examples for such works are bluetooth™-ECG and pulse oximetry.
Signal Processing
Another emphasis of the group is analogue signal conditioning and digital signal processing . Signals of the human body are usually prone to large scale fluctuations and noise. Hence a reliable measurement of such signals is a challenging task.
To meet the requirements the group develops innovative signal processing schemes with special concern of miniaturized smart sensors and their limited resources. Using such complex algorithms, measurement devices can be realized offering completely new possibilities for diagnosis and therapy . A good example for such new sensors is the successful development of vontinously and without strain blood pressure monitor or the research in the field of stressless breath monitoring.
Test, Analysis & Certification
For the development of reliable algorithms and sensors extensive test and analysis of the developed hardware and software is needed. These are done in the Mixed Signal Laboratory of the institute. The laboratory is well equipped with state-of-the-art technology and measurement devices allowing different tests with various environment conditions.
Together with cooperating clinics the developed prototypes are tested in various clinical trials.
Know-How Transfer
The group mainly concentrates on product-oriented research and development projects in close cooperation with industrial partners as well as other research groups.
The already developed smart vital sensors are being miniaturized and integrated in existing systems and platforms. In close collaboration with industrial partners the sensors are finalized to be ready for production and commercial use.