Integrated high-frequency sensors in catheters for minimally invasive plaque characterization

This report demonstrates a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) biosensor operating at 12.6 GHz, applied to detect fat and calcium present in blood samples, as a first step to develop minimally invasive technique for plaque characterization in arteries. Interdigitated electrode (IDE) structure embedded in an oscillator acts as the sensor; the sensing is based on the capacitive detection of the dielectric ambient of the IDE. The functionality of the sensor is calibrated using organic alcohols and sensitivity of 100 MHz/permittivity is measured. Samples of pig blood were then measured followed by the measurement of blood samples infested with fat and calcium. The integration concept of such a silicon chip on catheter for minimally invasive plaque characterization is proposed in this work. Corresponding results for establishing the packaging concepts have been demonstrated.