Abstract
We have been developing a novel sensor devices and system for early diagnosis of cardiovascular and cerebral diseases. In the cardiovascular team, we have three projects. To diagnose atherosclerosis in its ultra-early stage, a novel system for in vivo evaluation of arterial function under transmural pressure manipulation has been developed. To systematically analyze vascular endothelial function, a mathematical model of vasodilation with intra- and inter-cellular pathways has been developed. To explore healthcare systems based on daily-life self-monitoring, wearable sensors and health-risk indices appropriate for self-care have been developed. In the cerebral team, we have been developing an easy to use, low-cost, rapid, and high sensitivity semiconductor based medical diagnostic biosensing system for analyzing blood and urine for early diagnosis. The new biosensing technology consists of a semiconductor image sensor that is sensitive to the fine ionic change associated with antigen-antibody reaction. Especially, this technology has detected the reaction between antibody and amyloid beta peptide (Aβ), an endogenous causative agent responsible for Alzheimer's disease.
