Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Biacore was the first company to manufacture and market the SPR biosensor. However, other
companies have also joined in marketing the SPR biosensor because of its inherent
advantages. For example, Sierra Sensors GmbH in Hamburg, Germany makes a label-free
detector that is extremely powerful for the characterization of molecular interactions. This,
the company claims becomes a powerful research tool when combined with correct
supporting technologies.
This company combines label-free detection with modern microfluidic sample delivery,
along with sensor design and automation. These biosensors are practical to operate. They
have just launched a new SPR-2 analytical system. Some of the parameters that their biosen-
sor can determine includes binding specificity (which molecules bind to the target), kinetic
rates (the speed of the interactions), affinity constants (how strong are the interactions, what
are the on-off rates, that is the binding and the dissociation rate coefficients), concentration
(how much target is present), and structural change (does the binding or dissociation, for
example, result in any structural change). A further distinct advantage of their system is quick
results, direct and even multistage analysis, and minimal sample preparation. Their high-
performance biosensor systems are well-suited for both research and industrial environments.
The
Economic Times (2008)
recently reported that the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in
Mumbai has developed a biosensor to detect heart attacks, and that the biosensor will be in
the market soon. The low-cost biosensor “i-Sens” was developed by the Center for Excel-
lence on Nanoelectronics at IIT and is expected to detect heart attacks well in advance before
they occur. The “i-Sens” biosensor will detect acute myocardial infarctions and should have
gone into commercial production at the end of the year 2008. The “i-Sens” biosensor consists
of an indigenous and sensitive detector that works with a table-top box that costs Rupees
5000-10,000, which is equivalent to $98.9-$197.8 (Exchange rate $1
¼
50.57 Rupees, April
2, 2009). The Director of the project, Dr. V. Ramgopal Rao indicates that a disposal card
costs only a few hundred rupees each time a test is conducted. The cost per patient is less
than 1000 Rupees. This is an order of magnitude less costly than Rupees 20,000 which is
the cost of the existing test. Dr. Rao further adds that as this is only a diagnostic tool, the field
trials are not expected to take time. A particular advantage of the “i-Sens” is that it warns a
possible patient 6 months in advance. This makes the prognosis definitely better, as any
advance warning of an impending heart attack is extremely beneficial to both the patient
as well as the attending physician.
In a report on medical and biological sensors and sensor systems,
Kalorama Information
(2002)
estimates that it takes 5 years and $40 million to get a medical sensor to the market.
This is data for the year 2000. A 7-8 year inflation index needs to be incorporated in the cost
numbers. The time to take a biosensor from the bench to the market may have also, in all
probability, increased say from 7 to 9 years. This report examines and analyzes the strategies
and trends (note 7-8 years ago) in the medical sensor market. It also provides forecasts for the
