Small medical devices and their materials research and development attract attention
September 19 04:30:24, 2025
In the ever-evolving field of medical technology, minimally invasive, convenient, and compact devices have become key trends in research and development. Recently, several leading international companies and research institutions have introduced innovative small-scale medical devices tailored for specific patient groups and therapeutic needs. Here’s a closer look at some recent advancements.
Philips recently unveiled the world’s smallest transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) sensor, called "microTEE," at the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE). This groundbreaking device is designed for neonatal cardiac imaging, offering high-resolution images during critical procedures. The microTEE is about one-third the size of traditional pediatric TEE sensors, enabling doctors to perform detailed imaging on the youngest patients, even during interventional treatments.
Dr. Girish Shirali, Director of Pediatric Echocardiography at the University of South Carolina’s Children’s Hospital, praised the innovation, stating that the microTEE probe represents a major advancement in neonatal and infant cardiac imaging. He emphasized that it allows these tiny patients to undergo imaging similar to adults, improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes.
Meanwhile, researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich) have developed the world’s smallest autoinjector. With a needle as thin as one-fifth the diameter of a human hair, this nanoscale device can deliver drugs or DNA into cells without causing damage. The invention marks a significant step forward in biological and pharmacological research, with potential applications across medicine, chemistry, and materials science.
In Japan, a team from the University of Tokyo has created miniature fluorescent beads that change their luminescence intensity based on blood glucose levels. These beads, which emit green fluorescence under ultraviolet light when interacting with glucose, could revolutionize blood sugar monitoring. Researchers mixed the fluorescent material into a gel-like substance and shaped it into 0.1 mm beads, successfully testing them in animal studies.
The goal is to develop a non-invasive, continuous glucose monitoring system using these beads. For people with diabetes, this could mean fewer painful blood tests and more frequent, real-time readings. Scientists are currently working to enhance the performance and safety of the beads, aiming to bring them to market within the next 10 to 15 years.
These developments highlight the growing focus on miniaturization and smart technology in healthcare, promising more effective, less intrusive solutions for patients worldwide.