Biomicrodevices____________________________________________________________________________________________

"Biomicrodevices" – why using this term and definition

Several terms are used in the area of microdevices. However most of them are specific to a certain applications or limited otherwise:

The term "BioMEMS", is a fusion of a word (bio) with an acronym and limited to "Electro-Mechanical Systems" only.

“Biochips” is used mostly for “silicon” based devices.

“Lab-on-a-chip” and “MicroTAS” (or µTAS) is limited to devices for analytical purpose.

"Biosensors" is a subclass of chemical sensors using biological components in direct contact with a transducer for analytical purpose.

Therefore I propose the term “Biomicrodevices" which should have the following definition:

Biomicrodevices are devices with feature sizes at the micrometer scale used for bio-, medical- or analytical applications (e.g., separation, bioreactions/synthesis, cell cultivation, bioanalytics). Biomicrodevices can use biological components to facilitate their function (e.g. antibodies for bioanalytics) or/and come in direct contact with biological components (e.g., biomicrodevices for cell separation). Biomicrodevices can be made from synthetic materials, natural materials and/or modified natural materials (e.g., silicon, polymers, metals, glass) and may contain biological components (e.g., immobilized DNA, proteins).

This definition of Biomicrodevices follows the same rules than the definition of "Biomaterials".

Biomaterials are materials used for bio- or medical application and come in direct contact with cells/tissues, body fluids or the body. They should not provoke rejection by cells/tissues and/or our body. Biomaterials can be of natural origin (e.g., collagen) or synthetic (e.g., polymers, ceramics, metals) or modified natural materials.

Dieter TRAU

Singapore June 2004