With the rapid development of medical technology and the growing global demand for health management, high-precision and low-power healthcare products are becoming central to industry trends. These products not only provide accurate and timely health data but also significantly extend device lifespan, meeting the needs of portability and long-term monitoring. From wearable devices to remote health monitoring systems, these solutions are offering individuals and healthcare institutions more efficient management methods, while reducing energy consumption and enhancing the patient’s experience. This article will explore the application of innovative technologies such as glucose meters and skin patches in the healthcare field, as well as the related solutions offered by Murata.
Blood glucose meters and skin patches improve the lives of chronic patients
Blood Glucose Meters (BGM) measure blood glucose levels through sensors that detect the electrical signals generated by glucose oxidase. This is done by measuring the current produced by the enzymatic reaction between glucose oxidase and glucose. Since sensors are temperature-sensitive, temperature compensation is required. In addition, thermistors can monitor abnormal heating in microcomputers and power supplies, protecting the microcomputer from overcurrent caused by USB.
Blood glucose meters mainly fall into two categories: SMBG (Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose) and CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring). Although their detection principles are largely the same, almost all types of glucose meters measure blood glucose by detecting the current generated from the reaction between glucose in bodily fluids and glucose dehydrogenase. SMBG directly detects glucose in the blood by adding enzymes to the blood sample. Glucose in the blood is converted into gluconic acid under the action of the enzyme, releasing electrons. These electrons are captured by a mediator, and a voltage is applied to separate the electrons from the mediator. A transimpedance amplifier (TIA) then detects the current proportional to the glucose level in the blood, allowing the blood glucose value to be calculated.
On the other hand, skin patches are an innovative medical technology that is gradually gaining widespread use and rapid development in healthcare. These patches are made from lightweight, flexible materials with high biocompatibility and can be directly attached to the skin for real-time health data monitoring and disease management. Skin patches can continuously measure physiological parameters such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, glucose, body temperature, and more, transmitting data wirelessly to smartphones or medical systems for real-time monitoring. For patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes or cardiovascular conditions, these patches provide accurate data that help adjust treatment plans in a timely manner, preventing dangerous situations.
In addition to their monitoring capabilities, skin patches can also function as drug delivery systems, releasing medication directly through the skin into the body. This method is suitable for long-term or sustained drug release treatments, such as pain relief or hormone therapy. It not only reduces patient discomfort but also enhances drug efficiency and avoids side effects associated with oral or injectable treatments.
As the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies converge, skin patches are becoming increasingly smart. By collecting large amounts of personal physiological data, these patches can work with AI to analyze the data, providing personalized health recommendations and treatment plans. Furthermore, in the development of telemedicine, skin patches offer a stable source of data, enabling doctors to remotely monitor a patient's health and facilitate remote diagnosis and treatment.
Due to advancements in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), especially the proliferation of cloud services, changes in living environments, and the rising number of lifestyle-related diseases driven by an aging population and soaring healthcare costs, the landscape of medical devices and services is rapidly changing. Devices like continuous glucose monitors (CGM) and skin patches for daily health management are undergoing transformations in terms of miniaturization and cloud connectivity.
Comprehensive product line to meet healthcare device design needs
Murata offers a comprehensive product line that contributes to the miniaturization of products and increased design flexibility by providing small, general-purpose components such as capacitors, inductors, and more. This product range enhances the convenience of daily health management through network connectivity, such as Bluetooth® Smart modules and other wireless communication modules.
In terms of connectivity, Murata provides Bluetooth® modules, LPWA modules, and LTCC filters/baluns (LFL/LFB/LDB series). For sensors, they offer thermistors (NCU series) and magnetic sensors (AMR sensors in the MR series). In timing devices, they provide crystal units (XRC series) and ceramic resonators CERALOCK (CST series). For power supplies, Murata offers silver oxide batteries (SR series), isolated DC-DC converter modules (NXJ1/NXJ2 series), isolated gate driver power modules, and thermistors (NCU series). In sound components, Murata supplies piezoelectric sounders (PKMCS/PKLCS series).
Additionally, thermistors in wearable skin patches can not only detect body temperature but also monitor abnormal heating in internal components. Skin patches, which are gaining attention in the healthcare and medical sectors, include tumor magnetic field therapy electrodes, as well as those used for monitoring electrocardiograms (ECG), galvanic skin response (GSR), and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2). The thermistors can detect both body temperature and overheating in microcomputers and power supplies, ensuring safe wearability on the body. In the tumor magnetic field therapy device's electrode patches, thermistors can be placed in the center of the disposable physiotherapy electrode patches. Each patch uses 8 thermistors, and 4 patches are combined to form an array (a total of 32 thermistors). The usage time for the electrode patches is 48 hours (not to exceed 72 hours).
Murata’s product lineup for skin patches is extensive, including thermistors (NCP/NXR series) for temperature sensors, thermistors (NCP series) for controllers, Bluetooth® Smart modules (LBCA/LBMA series), Wi-Fi modules, thermistors (NCP series) for connectivity, coin manganese dioxide lithium batteries (standard type) for power supplies, and RFID tags (LXMS/LXTB series) for traceability. In timing devices, Murata also offers crystal units (XRC series), meeting the diverse needs of healthcare applications.
Thermistors enhance the detection accuracy of healthcare products
Murata has over 60 years of experience in the development of thermistors, having achieved the world’s first mass production of PTC thermistors in 1962. Over the years, Murata has continuously innovated, focusing on miniaturization and high-performance product development. Murata thermistors are known for their high quality, leveraging refined raw materials and advanced production techniques. With a highly reliable structural design, they currently hold the largest market share and are widely applied in various fields. Murata also offers robust production capacity, along with leading analysis, evaluation, and customized assessment services.
Murata's NTC thermistors are used for temperature detection and temperature compensation, such as the NCP/NCU series and the FTN series. PTC thermistors (POSISTOR®) like the PRF series are used for over-temperature protection, while the PRG series is for overcurrent protection. Murata provides technical support for customers, including circuit optimization and thermal design.
The NCU/NCP series for temperature detection boasts a rich product line, stable quality, and abundant production capacity. These thermistors have achieved safety standard certifications (UL1434, file number E137188). In blood glucose meter applications, NTC thermistors can be used to sense “ambient temperature.” By placing thermistors near the interface between the test strip and the device, the blood temperature at the reaction slot can be detected indirectly in real time. The accuracy, typically within ±1°C to ±2°C, depends on the structure and materials of the test strip. NTC thermistors are also used for temperature monitoring of battery modules, as the low-power-consuming MCUs in modern blood glucose meters emphasize monitoring the battery's operational temperature.
On the other hand, Murata’s PRG series, designed for overcurrent protection, can act as a resettable fuse in blood glucose meters. In the event of overcurrent, the PRG thermistor’s resistance rises, restoring the circuit to normal operation once the issue is resolved.
Low-power AMR sensors and clock devices for medical applications
In CGM applications, AMR sensors (magnetic switches) can perform the device wake-up function. For instance, when the user opens the sealed packaging, the AMR switch can automatically activate the BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) function. Murata's AMR sensor, the MRMS534R has low power consumption, can operate at low voltage, and is quite compact in size. Murata AMR MRMS534R sensor has an average current power consumption of only 0.08μA/1.5V (maximum 0.2μA/1.5V), can operate at low voltage (Vcc<1.5V), and has a narrow sensing angle, so it has better sensitivity as a switch, the size is only 1.45mm2. The above features can help CGM device adapt to lower voltage systems, thereby replacing smaller button batteries, thereby helping CGM meet the need for miniaturization. Its next-generation product of AMR MRMS534R sensor also be a size of 1.0mm*1.0mm, while further reducing power consumption to a level of 30nA.
On the other hand, Murata has introduced medical-grade clock devices, such as the XRCGB-F1S/F2P series crystals, which offer high precision and reliability. These crystal resonators utilize Murata's proprietary crystal technology and feature a structure that includes a metal cover, resin encapsulation, chip, and flat ceramic base. This differs from traditional crystal resonators that typically use metal or ceramic covers, metal encapsulation, and grooved ceramic bases, providing greater precision and stability.
When comparing frequency changes after reflow soldering, the XRCGB-F1S/F2P series exhibits an initial frequency deviation of only ±10ppm at various nominal frequencies, with temperature deviations of ±10ppm (-30 to 85°C) or ±20ppm (-40 to 105°C for optional models). These characteristics ensure high stability, making these resonators ideal for wireless RF applications such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth/BLE, and LPWA (Low Power Wide Area networks). The minimal frequency change after reflow soldering facilitates frequency compensation, while the package design offers cost efficiency and stable supply. Murata also provides a free value-added matching service that complements Bluetooth Low Energy solutions, potentially reducing power consumption by approximately 15% under recommended conditions.
Conclusion
With the continuous development of high-precision and low-power technologies, healthcare products are moving towards greater intelligence, convenience, and energy efficiency. These innovative solutions not only provide accurate health data but also significantly reduce energy consumption and extend the lifespan of devices, meeting the needs of both patients and healthcare institutions for efficient health management. From personalized health monitoring to the promotion of telemedicine, these technologies are gradually transforming our healthcare model, enhancing patient quality of life and the efficiency of medical services. Murata has extensive experience in developing healthcare-related solutions and can offer a complete product line, making it an ideal partner for capturing the healthcare applications market.