An overview of MEMS/NEMS-based applications with the potential to be used in medicine

Abstract

The technology of MEMS/NEMS is based on the integration and relationship of mechanical, electronic, and even optical components at the micro- and nanoscale. This technology has provided more sensitive and more effective devices/systems for medical diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. For example, it has enabled molecular imaging and early diagnosis of diseases with its integration with medical imaging and biosensor technology. Also, its use in drug targeting and controlled drug release systems has paved the way for promising, effective, and personalized treatments. In short, the technology of MEMS/NEMS currently plays a significant role in medicine and will have even greater potential in the future. Due to increasing studies, researchers who work or will work in this field have started to need a general perspective. For this reason, this review study aims to provide an overview of MEMS/NEMS-based medical applications. This review addresses the applications of MEMS/NEMS in medicine, including biosensors, medical imaging, surgical devices, drug studies, Lab-on-a-Chip, and Organ-on-a-Chip systems. Also, it briefly expresses the fundamentals of MEMS/NEMS and highlights the challenges, and future uses for MEMS/NEMS in medicine.

Keywords

• Electromechanical biosensors
• electromechanical drug delivery
• electromechanical drug release
• microelectromechanics
• nanoelectromechanics
• nanoelectromechanical surgery

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