Designing Reliable Sensors for the Human Body: Lessons from Implantable Medical Devices

Session details:

From heart pumps to neurostimulators, sensors are the lifeline of modern medical devices-but designing them to survive inside the human body brings challenges far beyond those of typical embedded systems. This session explores sensor design and integration through the lens of implantable device engineering: managing biofouling, signal drift, encapsulation, and balancing precision with manufacturability. Drawing on lessons from real-world devices currently implanted in patients, Ian will share practical methods for packaging, testing, and validating sensors that must perform flawlessly in extreme, long-term environments. The principles discussed also apply to next-generation wearables, robotics, and industrial sensing platforms where reliability is paramount.