Scientists have come up with a novel tiny, ultra-low-power chip that can be injected just under the surface of the skin to continuously monitor patients for substance abuse. The chip can be powered wirelessly by a wearable device such as a smartwatch. "A tiny injectable sensor -- that can be administered in a clinic without surgery -- could make it easier for patients to follow a prescribed course of monitoring for extended periods of time," said lead author, Professor at the University of California-San Diego.
The new bio-sensor chip measures roughly one cubic millimetre in size and can be injected under the skin in interstitial fluid -- the fluid that surrounds the body's cells. It contains a sensor that is coated with alcohol oxidase, an enzyme that selectively interacts with alcohol to generate a byproduct that can be electrochemically detected. The electrical signals are…
