Of course in terms of ideas and goals, I always think big. But, in terms of microelectronics for biomedical implantable or minimally invasive devices, I always think small. When I say small, I mean really really small (nanoscale!). In a very constrained environment such as inside the human small intestine, size really matters. Getting electronic devices into human body has challenges in terms of miniaturisation and power. From the very beginning I have realised that sub-micron scale CMOS technology is the solution, so I embarked on building up my expertise on exploiting the integration advantages that is offered by CMOS technology to its fullest scale.

The experience I have gained enabled me to complete the first fluorescence capsule prototype at the end of my PhD on 2012. In collaboration with Jim, the capsule we have developed was great success in term of performance and power consumption. However, regarding the size, it was still 50% bigger than that of conventional commercial white light imaging. For our capsule to be used for human trails, getting the size smaller was an essential requirement. So, more integration and miniaturisation was still ahead of us.

Sonopill is the perfect project that David has brought to the group at exactly the right time to enable us to fulfill the ministration requirement of the capsule. More excitingly, the project has brought the concept of multimodality capsule to effective development reality. A capsule that can do fluorescence imaging, ultrasound imaging and pH sensing is now the ultimate objective. A major challenge that I have enthusiastically accepted. I strongly believe that by working as a team, all of us together in the Sonopill project can make a difference and make Sonopill reality. I also believe that Sonopill project will offer a lot of technological advances that will benefit the research community as well as the medical sector and eventually and most importantly the general population whose lives may be saved or enhanced by this technology. 

First published: 11 April 2017

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