What happens inside the body while we sleep, work, or go about our daily lives? Heartbeats, blood flow, and other physiological processes continue uninterrupted—mostly hidden from view, often measurable only intermittently. In the future, smart sensors could help continuously monitor such changes: precisely, discreetly, analytically, and right where they occur.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems IMS will showcase the technological foundations required for this at COMPAMED 2026, November 16–19, at the IVAM joint booth in Hall 8A, Booth G19.4: implantable pressure sensors, photonic detectors, and ultra-thin functional coatings.

“Medical technology is evolving from isolated measurements toward a better, continuous understanding of physiological processes. This requires miniaturized sensor systems that operate reliably and deliver highly precise data. These are precisely the key technologies we are researching at Fraunhofer IMS,” explains Prof. Karsten Seidl, head of the Health Business Unit at Fraunhofer IMS.

Implants that think for themselves over the long term

A key focus of the trade show presentation is high-precision pressure sensors for implantable applications. They detect even the slightest changes in pressure within the body and transmit measurement data wirelessly—an important foundation for future smart implants. Such systems can help improve our understanding of physiological processes over longer periods of time and enable medical decisions to be based on a broader data set.

At Fraunhofer IMS, researchers are currently working on an even more compact generation of sensors that combines high measurement accuracy, energy efficiency, and an exceptionally small form factor.

When Light Makes Information Visible

Another area of focus is biophotonic sensing: Fraunhofer IMS is presenting its latest analog single-photon detector based on backside-illuminated technology.

The detector can detect individual particles of light—known as photons—with high precision and speed. This makes the technology suitable for demanding spectral applications, such as optical measurement methods in medicine, the analysis of biological samples, or quality assurance.

Fraunhofer IMS will also demonstrate how biophotonic sensing opens up new possibilities for medicine and industry on the IVAM stage during the “Laser & Photonics” session with the presentation “Advanced Biophotonic Sensing for Inline Quality Control and Medical Applications.”

The most unusual exhibit at the booth: a sugar cube

Between microelectronics and sensor technology, visitors will find a surprisingly everyday object: a sugar cube. It demonstrates what atomic layer deposition—ALD for short—is capable of.

This process allows for the application of ultra-thin, uniform coatings—even on complex three-dimensional structures with fine pores and cavities. What is clearly illustrated by the sugar cube is highly relevant to medical technology: ALD coatings can make microsensors more robust, enable additional functions, and thus support long-lasting medical systems.

Key Technologies for the Medicine of Tomorrow

These three exhibits exemplify a trend that is increasingly shaping medical technology: systems are becoming smaller, smarter, and closer to where the action takes place. Sensors collect information from within the body, photonic technologies make the faintest signals visible, and functional coatings help reliably protect sensitive microsystems.

“Whether it’s smart implants, biophotonic diagnostics, or functional coating technologies—our goal is to develop medical systems that provide more precise information and integrate as unobtrusively as possible into patients’ daily lives. COMPAMED offers an ideal platform for engaging in dialogue with industry, researchers, and end users,” says Prof. Karsten Seidl.

Fraunhofer IMS invites trade visitors to experience the technologies firsthand at COMPAMED 2026 and to discuss future applications in medical technology and biomedicine with the researchers.