A new white paper from PI Ceramic highlights the potential of piezoelectric actuators in advancing microfluidics applications within medical technology. Piezo technology is key to various medical devices, such as nebulizers for respiratory therapy, point-of-care diagnostic instruments, and the production of patient-specific pharmaceuticals. These devices rely on piezo actuators for functions like aerosolization, sample preparation, and precise droplet generation.
The white paper outlines the special characteristics of piezo actuators, such as their precision, energy efficiency, compactness, long lifetime, and high motion dynamics. These features make them particularly suitable for use in active microfluidics, where exact control over small fluid volumes is crucial. PI Ceramic’s experience in manufacturing different types of piezo actuators—longitudinal, bender, and tube actuators—supports a range of complex applications in medical technology.
Dr. Patrick Pertsch, Managing Director of PI Ceramic, explains that piezo actuators are often fundamental to making microfluidic applications possible, with new developments like acoustic tweezers for single-cell handling and ultrasound-based tissue synthesis still in their early stages. These emerging technologies are poised to transform various fields of medical research and treatment.
The white paper, titled “Piezo Technology for Microfluidics,” offers a comprehensive overview of the technology’s fundamentals, potential applications, and limitations. The document is available for free download on PI Ceramic’s website, providing valuable insights for medical device manufacturers and researchers exploring innovative solutions in microfluidics.
With over 30 years of experience, PI Ceramic continues to lead the field, developing piezoceramic components for medical technology, industrial ultrasonic sensors, and precision dosing applications, supporting its mission to push the boundaries of what can be measured and moved in the medical sector.
