SENSIMED AG is leveraging on Swiss competences and technologies to develop and manufacture a variety of solutions where measurements need to be performed by small size sensors and where in-situ batteries are not desired.

The company spun-off in 2003 of well renowned Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) when founders Dr. Matteo Leonardi and Sacha Cerboni pursued an interest in being able to monitor intraocular pressure continuously and non-invasively. The project was initiated after a meeting between ophthalmologists and researchers brainstorming on how technology could address unmet clinical needs.

The first need addressed by SENSIMED is in the field of glaucoma. This disease is an asymptomatic, progressive and irreversible illness which leads to blindness unless adequate treatment is provided. The concept was to measure the changes of corneal curvature which occurs with the changes in the intraocular pressure.

Once this model has been validated in 2005, the next step was to design a wireless system to replace the wired connection of the initial solution. The technical challenge to design a wireless connection between the contact lens sensor and the external apparatus was a major defy. Given the small size required for such a system to fit inside a contact lens, a fully custom integrated circuit “ASIC” (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) had to be developed. New design and manufacturing processes were required to develop a new sensor integrating a micro-loop antenna. A matching external ergonomic radio-frequency module with robust telemetry communication protocol was realised. In 2007, the functional prototype of the telemetric sensor was validated on enucleated pig eyes.

During the year 2008, emphasis has been put on manufacturability and robustness of the technology so that it would work under normal daily environment, respect the numerous radio-frequency and medical norms, and allow for reliable production of the devices.

Early 2009, SENSIMED AG received the CE mark for the SENSIMED Triggerfish^® system. The company focused on conducting clinical trials on human being in well renowned centers in the European Union, and initiated controlled commercialization in selected countries. At the same time, the company was honored to receive several awards from Red Herring or CTI Medtech, among others, for the best innovative and promising private enterprises in high-tech sector in Switzerland and in Europe.