Biocompatible Pressure Sensors for various Applications

As a specialist for sensor technology in the medical field, the German company AMSYS offers biocompatible pressure sensors in various designs for a wide range of applications, including the IntraSense, probably the smallest absolute pressure sensor for in-vivo use in catheters.

The IntraSense pressure sensor, which is only 220 µm wide, fits into the smallest 1 French catheters. With its wide pressure range of -300..500 mmHg, it can measure blood pressure as well as intracranial or bladder pressure quickly and directly on site. It is also offered as a calibrated version with amplified analog and I²C output. For rapid initial development steps, AMSYS also offers an evaluation kit with USB connection and software for initial measurements of pressure and temperature for prototyping.

With the 1620, AMSYS also has a relative pressure sensor in its portfolio that was developed for one-time use, e.g. in dialysis machines or oxygenators. These low-cost sensors cover the pressure range up to 300 mmHg typical for medical applications. Just like the other pressure sensors presented, it can be sterilized with ETO.

The small barometric sensor MS5839 with a footprint of only 3.3 x 3.3 mm² is universally applicable and with its biocompatible gel can also be used in anesthesiology, for example. Via its I²C interface, the MS5839 delivers the measured pressure and temperature signal with high precision and 24 bits. In addition, 6 individual coefficients are stored in the module, which allow software correction for pres-sure and temperature measurement by an external microprocessor.

The three sensors presented are all coated for biocompatibility and suitable for direct contact with bodily fluids; in the case of the IntraSense for 24 hours, in the case of the 1620 and MS5839 even for a full 7 days. AMSYS will present these and other sensors for medical products at Compamed in No-vember in Düsseldorf, hall 8A, booth 8AM04. In addition, they are of course available via www.amsys-sensor.com.

Outstanding properties

• Biocompatible, suitable for contact with body fluids
• Pressure range: 300..1200 mbar (MS5839), -300..500 mmHg (IntraSense), -0..300 mmHg (1620) 
• Temperature range: -40..85 °C (MS5839), 10..45 °C (IntraSense), 5..40 °C (1620) 
• Interfaces: unamplified (mV), 0.5..4.5 V, I²C 
• Ceramic substrate 
• RoHS and REACH compliant

The Company

AMSYS GmbH & Co. KG is a medium-sized company based in Germany. Since its foundation in 1999 it has focused on the field of sensor technology. As a distributor for sensor technology, AMSYS is one of the specialists in pressure measurement technology on the German-speaking market.

The AMSYS product range includes piezoresistive pressure sensing elements, simple SMD mounta-ble transducers, amplified/unamplified and matched OEM sensors, PCB modules, and ready-to-use pressure transmitters.

AMSYS offers sensors and pressure cells in the pressure range from 1.25 mbar up to 800 bar. In ad-dition to a wide range of pressure sensor types, AMSYS also offers OEM humidity sensors, tempera-ture and inclination sensors, as well as wireless radio solutions.

Due to the technical competence of the employees and the good contact to the suppliers, customer-specific modifications of the standard products can also be offered, making individual problem solu-tions possible. Further information is available at www.amsys-sensor.com.