HealSense: Closed-Loop VCSEL Photobiomodulation and Microcurrent Stimulation for Accelerated Wound Repair

Imec is a leading research hub pioneering innovations at the intersection of nanotechnology, electronics, and life sciences. In the field of bio and medical technology, imec develops advanced tools and platforms for health monitoring, diagnostics, and therapeutics, leveraging expertise in biosensors, chip-based systems, and data analytics. This cutting-edge research environment offers unique opportunities for translating fundamental science into impactful healthcare solutions.

Complex wounds pose significant challenges for patients while placing a substantial financial burden on healthcare systems, making advances in wound healing essential for improving patient outcomes and overall healthcare efficiency. Emerging technologies—such as sensors for real-time wound monitoring and electrical or optical stimulation—show great promise, but have yet to reach the level of maturity required for widespread clinical adoption in wound care.

This PhD project will pioneer a closed-loop wound healing platform that combines vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) for precise photobiomodulation with microcurrent stimulation (MCS) to accelerate tissue repair. From a biological perspective, VCSEL- and MCS-based bioelectric stimulation can synergistically enhance cellular metabolism, angiogenesis, and collagen synthesis while reducing inflammation. The closed-loop feedback enables real-time adjustment of light dose and microcurrent parameters to match the wound’s healing stage, ensuring optimal therapeutic effects and reducing the risk of scar tissue formation.  The system will employ real-time skin impedance and temperature feedback to monitor wound healing, that directly can be used to adapt stimulation parameters on the fly, delivering safe and optimized therapy for both acute and chronic wounds.

The first key innovation will be the design of a custom low-power ASIC to integrate sensing, control, and driving circuits into a compact, energy-efficient chip. The second key innovation will be the seamless embedding of this ASIC with flexible, biocompatible (opto)electronics, enabling conformal skin contact for both optical and electrical stimulation. Through this unique combination of advanced photonics, bioelectronics, and closed-loop control, the project aims to deliver a next-generation, wearable therapeutic device with high clinical relevance and potential for personalized healthcare.