Medical applications of silicon sensors

For invasive medical sensors, silicon sensors have a number of specific advantages: miniaturisation, low cost, high flexibility, high reliability, choice of parameter, packaging and integration of electronics. Specific packaging problems for microtransducer catheters (MTCS) whereby the transducer is a silicon sensor are related to the construction of the transducer housing and choice of materials. The main object is to maintain the sensitivity of the silicon sensor for the specific parameter while designing a proper housing. This is illustrated by describing solutions for pressure- and oxygen-sensitive MTCSs. Two sets of factors which promote the use of MTCS in hospitals are discussed. The first is the quality of signal and the possibility of continuous monitoring of the measured parameter. The second comprises patient comfort, simpler application techniques and economic factors.