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Medical electronics: technology that shapes lives

These three central components are the heart behind high-tech therapies

In short: Medical electronics overview

What is it all about?

Electronic sensors, chips and on-chip intelligence are at the heart of modern medical devices - from vital parameter measurement to real-time analysis.

What value does it add?

  • Vital data is precisely digitized and analysed in milliseconds.
  • Compact designs enable patient-friendly, mobile solutions.
  • High quantities lower production costs and reduce maintenance and infrastructure costs.
Graphic with three central components of medical electronics shown in rings

12.06.2025

Medical electronics are at the heart of many medical devices. Without them, highly developed applications for monitoring patients and diagnosing diseases would be unthinkable. Components such as sensors and microchips record vital parameters, process data and assess therapy steps. Let’s look at three key electronic functions – from data acquisition to data intelligence – that make high-tech therapies possible in the first place.

1. Sensor technology

Sensor technology is the basis of every medical electronics application. Miniaturized sensors detect physical, chemical or biological parameters directly on the patient or in samples. The key technologies include:

  • MEMS sensors (microelectromechanical systems): MEMS pressure sensors accurately measure blood pressure or airway pressure in ventilators, while MEMS acceleration sensors are used in fall detection systems.
  • Biosensors: Electrochemical biosensors continuously measure blood glucose levels by detecting glucose molecules in electrolyte solutions. This data is transmitted directly to insulin pumps or mobile devices.
  • Optical sensors: In pulse oximeters, LEDs and photodiodes calculate oxygen saturation values from light signals. In endoscopy, CMOS-based image sensors are used to display tissue in real time.

Practical example:

Infusion pumps: Pressure and flow sensors in the line ensure that medication is precisely dosed and delivered.

2. Microelectronics

Microelectronics comprises the integration of complex circuits on silicon or specialized semiconductor chips. The following processes and components are used in medical technology:

  • CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) lithography: enables the production of highly integrated circuits with minimal space requirements, e.g. in portable ECG monitors or CGM (continuous glucose monitoring) sensors.
  • ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits): Customized chips control implants such as pacemakers by evaluating ECG signals and precisely dosing electrotherapeutic impulses.
  • 3D integration: Multilayer chips (stacked dies) increase packing density and reduce latency times, for example in intelligent insulin pumps or portable ultrasound devices.
Practical example:

Pacemaker: A pacemaker uses an ASIC that analyzes even the smallest current pulses and automatically sends corrective pulses in the event of arrhythmic events.

Products and exhibitors on this topic

Exhibitors and products on this topic can be found in the COMPAMED database:

3. Signal processing and integrated circuits

The processing of raw medical data requires powerful algorithms in a small area, often directly on the sensor or chip ("edge computing"). The relevant technologies include:

  • Digital signal processors (DSPs) and Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs): especially programmable hardware platforms that filter, segment and analyze ECG or EEG signals in real time. This enables rapid detection of pathological patterns.
  • Low-power microcontrollers: Control energy balance and operating modes of implants to optimize battery life and biocompatibility.
  • AI-supported on-chip analysis: Artificial intelligence (e.g. small neural networks) detects anomalies directly at the sensor and only transmits relevant data to central systems in order to minimize bandwidth and computing costs.

Practical example:

Ambulatory monitoring: A wearable with integrated DSP detects atrial fibrillation in real time and immediately sends an alarm message to the medical monitoring system or the hospital/practice staff in charge in the event of abnormalities.

Researcher examining the electronics of microchips through a microscope

Clean room testing ensures the quality of the sensor and chip function for critical therapies.

Close-up of hands assembling an electronic part

The small electronic modules that measure and process vital data and control therapy steps are produced in precision assembly.

Cost-benefit quick facts of medical electronics

The following is a compact comparison of the three components in terms of cost factors and economic benefits:

Technology

Cost factors

Benefits/advantages

Note on profitability

Sensor technology

MEMS design, calibration, manufacturing tolerances, clean rooms, materials (silicon, biocompatible surfaces)

Precise real-time measurements, compact sensor integration, improved monitoring

Costs fall with high volumes - crucial in wearables and intensive monitoring

Microelectronics

Semiconductor manufacturing (CMOS lithography, masks), ASIC development, test & certification

High integration, low energy consumption, minimal size

High initial investment, amortizes with large series (e.g. implants, monitors)

Signal processing

License fees for DSP/FPGA-IP, development costs for algorithms, hardware costs

Real-time analysis, reduction of data volume, intelligent functions (e.g. arrhythmia detection)

Savings in storage and cloud costs, better therapy results justify additional expenditure

Outlook: Networking and intelligent systems

Medical electronics are currently developing in the direction of even greater functional integration (sensors, actuators, data processing) and increasingly dense networking for the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). The main trends are:

  • Edge and low-power AI: AI algorithms directly on the chip enable local analysis and reduce latency and data volumes in the cloud.
  • Wireless power transmission: Resonant charging and induction allow implantable devices to function continuously without changing batteries.
  • Biocompatible energy storage: Thin supercapacitors and microbattery-based solutions ensure long-lasting implants with minimal volume.
  • Standardized IoT protocols: Secure data transmission (e.g. Bluetooth LE 5.0, IEEE 802.15.6 for WBANs) ensures interoperability between devices from different manufacturers.

This makes medical electronic solutions even more intelligent, low-maintenance and patient-friendly – from self-regulating insulin pumps to networked intensive care units.

More articles on this topic from the COMPAMED-tradefair.com editorial team:

The products where medical electronics are used are available at MEDICA:

Smiling woman with red hair and glasses - Melanie Prüser; This portrait was AI-generated.

Author: Melanie Prüser | Editorial team COMPAMED-tradefair.com

Since 2024, Melanie Prüser has been writing for COMPAMED-tradefair.com about the exciting interface between medical technology components and system integration. She is always on the lookout for the stories behind the components and manufacturing processes.

Discover more about...

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FAQ - Frequently asked questions about medical electronics

1. What are the main functions of electronic medical devices?

  • Data recording: Sensors record vital signs (e.g. blood pressure, glucose, pulse) in real time.
  • Signal processing: Integrated circuits filter and process raw data so that it can be analyzed reliably.
  • Control and alerting: As soon as deviations are detected, the devices control therapy steps (e.g. dose adjustments) or inform nursing staff and medical teams.

2. Which electronic technologies should you look for in medical devices?

Components that work reliably in the smallest of spaces are crucial, such as MEMS and biosensors, mixed-signal chips (CMOS / ASIC) or DSPs, FPGAs & AI accelerators.

3. How do electronic medical devices support telemedicine and remote monitoring?

Electronic medical devices support through:

  • Wireless data transmission: sensors send measured values wirelessly to cloud platforms or apps.
  • Edge computing: On-chip intelligence analyzes critical events on site and triggers alarms even before data arrives at the control center.
  • Remote therapy: Networked pump and measurement systems enable medical professionals to evaluate therapy data and adjust prescriptions remotely, particularly in the case of chronic illnesses.
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