The miniaturization of technology has always been a constant quest for scientists and companies: the smaller a device is, the more things it can do. The challenge is finding the right mix of size and efficiency, and Silicon Labs has landed quite a coup with the new one xG27. This chipset is so efficient that it stimulates great ideas in the field of diagnostics. Like a saliva reader so small it can be mounted… on a tooth.
Some technical data (if you don't understand skip this piece)
Silicon Labs' xG27 chipset includes the BG27 and MG27 families of SoCs. Both are built around the ARM Cortex M33 processor, but the BG27 focuses on Bluetooth, while the MG27 supports Zigbee and other protocols. The xG27 SoC chips range in size from 2mm² to 5mm².
Al dente sensors
XG27 Not the world's smallest Bluetooth chip, but Silicon Labs spokesman, Sam Ponedal, wants to point out that the record is missing for fractions of a millimeter.
Not bad, right? Perfect for the first task it was assigned: forming the centerpiece of a “saliva reader” mounted on the teeth.
From saliva a sea of information
The saliva sensor developed by Laura Health, could revolutionize the way dentists and physicians monitor the health of their patients, enabling them to gain insights into nearly a thousand health conditions.
Currently, the company is conducting clinical trials on the diagnostic sensor: if all goes well and it gets regulatory approval, it could be on the market within 12-18 months.
A “first-line” diagnostic tool like this, with the capacity for continuous monitoring, has the potential to improve the health of patients around the world.
When they say that "small is beautiful".
