Sun Yat-sen University Licenses Two Medical Sensor Patents for RMB 1.5 Million to Shenzhen Yixin Tech
On July 8, Sun Yat-sen University released a public notice on its official website.The ownership of two invention patents, “A Microneedle Glucose Sensor, Its Preparation Method, and Differential Pulse Voltammetry Testing Method” and “Brain Ion Detection Device and System Based on Dot Electrode Bundles, and Preparation Method Thereof,” has been transferred to Shenzhen Yixin Technology R&D Co., Ltd. The proposed transfer price is RMB 1.5 million plus a royalty based on post-launch product sales revenue (with a royalty cap of RMB 3 million).
These two patents represent a novel medical sensor technology developed by Professor Chen Huixuan’s team at the School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-sen University. In clinical practice, biomedical sensing technology primarily conducts comparative analyses of biomarkers in biological samples associated with various diseases or physiological activities, thereby helping physicians and patients understand organ pathology and the metabolic impacts of certain latent diseases.
Enhanced Multiple Performance Metrics of Medical Sensors, Completed Patent Transfer Worth 1.5 Million Yuan
Professor Chen Huixuan focuses on the research and development of integrated diagnostic and therapeutic systems based on microneedle array sensors and wearable electronic devices, as well as the design and development of sensing elements, circuits, hardware, and artificial intelligence. The two patents transferred this time were granted to the team in June and September 2023, respectively.
Among these, the innovation of “Microneedle Glucose Sensor, Its Preparation Method, and Differential Pulse Voltammetry” lies in enhancing the sensitivity, stability, compatibility, and response intensity of sensor testing.
First, the team reduced the sensor’s impedance and increased its specific surface area by drawing a carbon nanotube layer, and further enhanced the sensor’s sensitivity and linear range by increasing the number of glucose oxidase attachment sites;
Secondly, the team electrodeposited a conductive polymer film onto the carbon nanotube layer, which endowed the sensor with excellent electrical conductivity while protecting the carbon nanotube layer and enhancing its structural integrity, thereby improving the mechanical and chemical stability of the sensor.
Finally, the team conducted electrochemical testing on the microneedle glucose sensor using differential pulse voltammetry, which significantly suppressed capacitive current generation, thereby enabling more accurate measurement of Faradaic current by the sensor.
The patent titled “Brain Ion Detection Device and System Based on Dot Electrode Arrays, and Preparation Method Thereof” focuses on addressing the issues of discontinuous and non-real-time ion detection, thereby enhancing the continuity, real-time performance, and efficiency of ion detection.
First, the team implanted a brain ion detection device based on dot electrode arrays into the brain to perform in situ ion detection, thereby enhancing the continuity and real-time capability of ion monitoring.
Secondly, by employing electrode bundles with distinct ion-sensing capabilities, the team can simultaneously detect multiple ions in the brain, thereby enhancing ion detection efficiency.
The assignee of the above-mentioned two patents is Shenzhen Yixin Technology R&D Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Yixin Technology"), which was established in 2015 and is an innovative enterprise focused on vertical graphene and application solutions.
It is understood that Yixin Technology has established a three-phase roadmap encompassing the near, medium, and long term. These phases focus on the development of biological (enzyme/nucleic acid/antibody) sensors, electrochemical sensors, intelligent strain sensing, graphene-based new energy solutions, and graphene chips. The company aims to provide solutions with higher sensitivity and enhanced stability for applications in medical diagnostics, food and drug testing, gas detection, environmental protection, and smart cities.
Among these, the BIOSYS intelligent biosensing system under Yixin Technology can be used for the development of electrochemical enzyme sensors, microbial sensors, DNA sensors, nucleic acid sensors, and immunosensors. It is also suitable for research on electron transfer at membrane interfaces, as well as for the development and industrialization of electrochemical gas sensors, heavy metal detection sensors, ion sensors, and pH sensors.
It can be said that Yixin Technology specifically valued the innovative breakthroughs in sensor technology embodied by these two patents, and acquired ownership of them for RMB 1.5 million plus a sales royalty based on product market launch revenues (capped at RMB 3 million). Professor Chen Huixuan’s innovative patents are highly aligned with Yixin Technology’s medical testing business, and will further advance life sciences research and the development of precision medicine.
Breaking the Foreign Dominance in Medical Sensors: Multiple Chinese Companies Ramp Up Efforts
Medical sensors are a specialized branch of sensor applications in the healthcare sector. These devices primarily convert human physiological signals into electrical signals, offering advantages such as high sensitivity, high precision, and real-time monitoring. They can detect parameters such as the wearer’s heart rate, respiratory rate, and activity level, thereby enabling a more accurate assessment of physical health status.
In recent years, the scale of China’s medical sensor industry has shown a significant upward trend. According to data from Guanyan Report Network, the market size of China’s medical sensors grew from RMB 10.802 billion in 2017 to RMB 31.796 billion in 2022, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.10%.
In downstream applications, medical sensors are also widely used in the production of diagnostic equipment, rehabilitation devices, monitoring systems, and wearable medical devices. They are also extensively applied in fields such as surgical detection, health management, disease diagnosis and treatment, and medical research.
Taking wearable medical devices as an example, Medtronic launched the MiniMed 530G wearable artificial pancreas system in 2013, integrating functions such as blood glucose monitoring and insulin delivery. The entire system mimics pancreatic secretion, provides continuous insulin infusion, and enables intelligent regulation of insulin administration. In 2020, Medtronic’s wearable medical device, “Mei Yu An,” was approved for market launch in China. By utilizing a micro-sensor implanted in the abdomen or upper arm, the product can predict the risk of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia within the next 60 minutes and issue alerts through a dedicated smartphone app.
In China, multiple wearable medical devices have also received regulatory approval for market launch. For example, Wuhan Tuosirui Medical has launched a wearable range-of-motion measurement device; Hunan Zhenluo Medical Technology has introduced a wearable system for quantitative assessment of movement and gait; and Sichuan Weisimo Medical has released a wearable color Doppler ultrasound diagnostic instrument.
Despite the widespread application of sensors in the medical field, China’s medical sensor industry suffers from a low rate of domestic production and a heavy reliance on imports. Currently, in the Chinese medical sensor market, foreign companies such as Medtronic, STMicroelectronics, and TE Connectivity hold a leading position, leveraging their early entry, strong R&D capabilities, and superior product performance.。
According to data from the China Electronic Components Industry Association, the localization rate of China’s sensor chip market is currently below 10%, with the medical sector being particularly reliant on imports. Among global sensor manufacturers, only Goertek and AAC Technologies from China rank within the top 30, and medical sensors constitute a relatively small proportion of their product portfolios.
Meanwhile, Chinese enterprises such as Guide Infrared, OmniVision Technologies, Winsen Electronics Technology, China Resources Microelectronics, and Hanwei Electronics are actively pursuing technological innovation and product development, gradually enhancing their competitive positions and expanding their market share in the domestic medical sensor sector.
Among them, Hanwei Electronics has consistently focused on sensors as its core competency, having completed the development of flow sensors, medical oxygen sensors, and ultrasonic oxygen sensors for the healthcare sector. Meanwhile, Gaode Intelligent, a subsidiary of Guide Infrared, has successfully implemented infrared thermal imaging in the medical and health industry. By employing whole-body thermal imaging technology that passively receives metabolic heat from human tissues and cells, this system captures surface thermal radiation invisible to the naked eye, objectively and accurately visualizing temperature distribution across various body regions, thereby providing reliable reference data for clinical diagnosis.
As domestic medical sensor manufacturers in China continue to optimize their production technologies, the gap with leading international enterprises is gradually narrowing, and their market competitiveness is steadily increasing.