Microwave to near-infrared conversion with a millimeter-scale wireless laser for activating molecular transducers.

Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference · 2016 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 2893

The authors describe a miniaturized wirelessly powered laser (~2.5 mm largest dimension, <30 mg) that can deliver high-intensity near-infrared light in tissue and can be wirelessly powered through more than 1 cm of tissue.

Study snapshot

PublicationAnnual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference · 2016

Study typeengineering

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Light-activated molecular transducers enable precise manipulation of biological processes and are thus powerful tools for studying or treating disease. Their use in vivo, however, is currently limited by the low penetration of light through biological tissue. While electromagnetic fields at microwave frequencies can penetrate thick tissue, they do not provide direct control over molecular transducers. Here, we describe a miniaturized, wirelessly powered laser capable of delivering high intensity near-infrared light in tissue. The device is about 2.5 mm in the largest dimension, weighs less than 30 mg, and can be wirelessly powered through >1 cm of tissue. This device could be used in emerging bioelectronics-based treatments that combine the precision of light with the penetration depth of microwaves.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeengineering

Effect directionunclear

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposuremicrowave

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Wireless powering through tissue
Near-infrared light delivery in tissue
Device miniaturization (size/weight)

Limitations

No microwave frequency, power, or SAR parameters reported in the abstract
No biological/health outcomes reported; focus is on device capability
No sample size or experimental details provided in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "engineering",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": "wireless power (miniaturized implantable laser)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Wireless powering through tissue",
    "Near-infrared light delivery in tissue",
    "Device miniaturization (size/weight)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The authors describe a miniaturized wirelessly powered laser (~2.5 mm largest dimension, <30 mg) that can deliver high-intensity near-infrared light in tissue and can be wirelessly powered through more than 1 cm of tissue.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "No microwave frequency, power, or SAR parameters reported in the abstract",
    "No biological/health outcomes reported; focus is on device capability",
    "No sample size or experimental details provided in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "microwave",
    "wireless power",
    "near-infrared",
    "laser",
    "implantable device",
    "molecular transducers",
    "bioelectronics",
    "tissue penetration"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1109/embc.2016.7590712
PubMed: 28268348

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