Microsensors in laboratory automation and medical technology
Improve precision and reproducibility in lab automation: the use of microsensors brings more efficiency and safety to your processes. Laboratories operate under the most demanding conditions. Any manual intervention can lead to errors in sensitive processes. Bürkert microsensors, combined with our fluidics expertise, can provide measurable advantages here.
Microsensors are indispensable in laboratory automation and medical technology when it comes to measuring a variety of physical, chemical or biological parameters while keeping the devices and systems compact. The measuring cells of the sensors are sometimes only as large as a fingernail, yet are highly sensitive and suitable for various measurements. Combined with our extensive fluidics expertise, Bürkert provides the perfect solution for your lab automation.
What Bürkert microsensors can do for you
Laboratory automation: carry out standardised processes with the highest accuracy
An important area of application for microsensors is laboratory automation. What exactly is it and what advantages does it have? In lab automation, technologies take on standardised processes and perform them automatically and with the highest precision. This reduces inaccuracies and errors that can occur with manual work.
The advantages of lab automation:
- Very low consumption of samples and reagents
- Continuous measurements possible
- No risk of contamination of samples
- Minimisation of risk for laboratory staff, as samples are not taken manually
- Ability to electronically control and document processes such as cleaning
The goal is to increase the efficiency, precision, reproducibility and safety of the processes. In addition, laboratory automation helps document compliance with regulatory standards.
Typical components of lab automation are:
- Analytical devices with automatic data acquisition
- Laboratory information management systems (LIMS) for the digital management of samples and results
- Sensors and actuators for monitoring and controlling processes
Microsensors: precision in miniature format
Microsensors measure physical, chemical or biological parameters and convert the result into electrical signals. Thanks to their very compact design, they are ideal for conducting precise measurements in portable devices or embedded systems, even at very low flow rates.
As they take very accurate measurements and provide data for analysis very quickly, microsensors play a crucial role in laboratory automation. The miniaturised sensors are also used in other areas, such as medical technology and environmental monitoring.
Microsensors are based on various measurement principles depending on the desired measured value – Bürkert can assist you with the appropriate solution here.
Bürkert MEMS chips
For example, Bürkert offers sensors that are based on a micro-electromechanical chip (MEMS). The highly sensitive MEMS systems are miniaturised assemblies or parts whose components work together as a sensor system. For example, Bürkert pH sensors take measurements using an ISFET MEMS chip.
Enjoy the following advantages
When you choose Bürkert, you receive more than microsensors: we integrate the sensors into the fluidics for you so that you receive very compact multi-sensor systems. In addition to the system integration of the sensor systems, Bürkert microsensors offer you further key advantages.
The advantages in detail
Which parameters our microsensors measure
Our microsensor technology measures the following parameters reliably and highly precisely:
What microsensors can achieve in lab automation and medical technology
Microsensors are an essential building block for laboratory automation. The systems and devices are becoming increasingly complex, and the more functions that are integrated, the more components need to fit inside them. With our compact, highly integrated sensor systems, we facilitate system integration and elevate laboratory automation to a new level.
The advantages and functions at a glance:
• Real-time monitoring: e.g. of conductivity, temperature, pH value and pressure
• Miniaturisation: ideal for small sample volumes or microfluidic systems
• Integration into automated systems: e.g. in pipetting stations or in analysis devices
• Increased precision and reproducibility
• Early error detection through continuous process control
Example applications:
• Conductivity sensors for monitoring water quality in IVD devices
• Miniaturised pH sensors with ISFET MEMS chips in cell culture monitoring
• Pressure and flow measurement while dosing media in various laboratory devices
Microsensors in practice
Microsensors are used in medicine, in environmental analytics for monitoring air and water quality, and in industrial applications for process and quality monitoring. Discover how our technology can elevate your analysis to a new level in various applications.
Want to learn more about the applications? Then feel free to download our one-pager:
The huge potential of microsensors: a glimpse into the future
New opportunities for laboratory analyses
Microsensors are already being used in laboratory automation and we envisage huge development potential in this area in the future. The basis for this is the new sensor technologies that are constantly improving.
Examples of microsensors in lab automation
Cloud-based laboratory information management systems (LIMS) enable global collaboration in teams worldwide. This is possible when data is reliably captured and available for quick data exchange – directly and digitally from the sensor.
Environmentally friendly and sustainable practices in laboratories are becoming increasingly important. Energy requirements and avoiding waste that needs to be disposed of after use play a crucial role here. Our microsensors require only a fraction of the samples and reagents that conventional sensors do, meaning they contribute to sustainability in the lab.
Personalised medicine based on comprehensive data analysis. Treatments can be tailored to the individual genetic profile of patients. Here, microsensors can contribute by controlling and monitoring the entire process – from processing samples in laboratory devices to mixing medication.
Miniaturised sensors in life sciences and healthcare
Life sciences and healthcare are among the fastest-growing industries in the world. Here, laboratory tests are often the basis for diagnoses and treatments. Powerful laboratory devices that deliver reliable results quickly allow more analyses to be performed, higher throughput in the laboratory and, consequently, faster diagnoses and treatments. Small, compact and easy-to-transport devices also help in emergency medicine in order to make better and faster diagnoses. People who rely on dialysis could see their quality of life improve dramatically thanks to portable dialysis devices. Learn more here about the use of microsensors in dialysis:
Microsensors in the food and beverage industry as well as in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology
Other areas where microsensors can make a significant impact include the food and beverage industry as well as pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Here, the use of microsensors is recommended in highly sensitive laboratory bioreactors where the relevant process parameters need to be monitored continuously.
Sounds like science fiction, but is this of interest to you?
We would be happy to discuss with you how you can use Bürkert microsensors in innovative applications. Contact our team of microsensor specialists:
More than microsensors: what we can offer you
We support you in your lab automation during all phases of the design process and stand by your side as a partner:
Digital documentation: an additional service with added value
Are you ready to explore the microsensor innovation field and take your company to the next level?
Contact our microsensor experts and find out how we can optimise your fluidic tasks.
In these industries, you can benefit from customised microsensors.
Learn more about our system solutions:
