As medical technology advances rapidly and global demand for health management grows, high precision, low power healthcare products are becoming a central industry trend. They provide accurate, timely health data and greatly extend device operating life, meeting the needs of portable devices and long-term monitoring. From wearables to remote health monitoring systems, these solutions offer individuals and medical institutions more effective management while reducing energy consumption and improving patient experience. This article examines Murata Manufacturing solutions for blood glucose meters and other healthcare applications.
Blood glucose meters improve daily life for people with chronic conditions
Blood glucose meters (BGMs) use sensors to measure electrical signals generated by glucose oxidase. They measure glucose levels by detecting current produced by the enzymatic reaction between glucose oxidase and glucose. Because sensors have temperature-dependent characteristics, temperature compensation is required. Thermistors can also monitor abnormal heating in microcomputers and power supplies and protect microcomputers from overcurrent caused by USB connections.
Blood glucose monitoring primarily comprises self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Their detection principles are broadly similar: almost all meter types measure glucose by detecting current generated by the reaction between glucose in body fluids and glucose dehydrogenase. SMBG directly measures glucose in blood. An enzyme is added to the sample, converting glucose to gluconic acid and releasing electrons. A mediator captures the electrons; an applied voltage separates them from the mediator. A transimpedance amplifier (TIA) detects current proportional to glucose concentration to calculate the glucose value.
Healthcare and medical devices and services are changing rapidly as information and communications technology, especially cloud services, develops, living conditions change, aging populations increase lifestyle-related illness and medical costs rise. Devices for daily health management, including continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), are becoming smaller and connecting to the cloud.
A complete product portfolio for healthcare device design
Murata's broad portfolio supports miniaturization and design flexibility through compact general-purpose components such as capacitors and inductors. Wireless modules, including Bluetooth® Smart modules, improve the convenience of connected daily health management.
For connectivity, Murata offers Bluetooth® modules, LPWA modules and LTCC filters / baluns in the LFL/LFB/LDB series. Sensors include NCU-series thermistors and magnetic sensors, including MR-series AMR sensors. Timing devices include XRC-series crystal resonators and CST-series CERALOCK ceramic resonators. Power products include SR-series silver oxide batteries, NXJ1/NXJ2-series isolated DC/DC converter modules, isolated gate drive power modules and NCU-series thermistors. Sound components include PKMCS/PKLCS-series piezoelectric sounders.
Thermistors improve healthcare measurement accuracy
Murata has developed thermistors for more than 60 years, beginning mass production of PTC thermistors in 1962. It continues accumulating expertise and innovating in ultra-miniature, high performance thermistors. Its focus on materials, manufacturing processes and structural design ensures quality and reliability. Murata holds a leading market share and extensive application experience, with ample production capacity and analysis, evaluation and customized assessment services described by the source as superior to those of competitors.
NCP/NCU-series and FTN-series NTC thermistors support temperature sensing and compensation. POSISTOR® PTC thermistors include the PRF series for overtemperature protection and PRG series for overcurrent protection. Murata supports circuit optimization and thermal design.
NCU/NCP-series temperature sensing products offer a broad lineup, sufficient capacity and stable quality, with UL1434 safety certification, file E137188. In blood glucose meters, an NTC thermistor senses ambient temperature. Positioned near the test-strip interface, it indirectly monitors the temperature of blood placed at the reaction chamber in real time. Accuracy depends on the strip's structure and materials, with typical error between ±1°C and ±2°C. NTC thermistors also measure battery module temperatures, an important consideration because most glucose meter MCUs use low power designs. PRG-series overcurrent protection devices increase resistance during overcurrent to return the circuit to a normal condition, functioning as resettable fuses.
Low power AMR sensors and timing devices for medical applications
In CGM applications, AMR sensors, or magnetic switches, can wake the device automatically when the user opens sealed packaging. Murata's MRMS534R AMR sensor is compact, operates at low voltage and uses little power. Its average current consumption is 0.05 μA at 1.5 V, with a maximum of 0.2 μA at 1.5 V, and its Vcc range is 1.4–3.6 V. High directional sensitivity reduces susceptibility to external magnetic fields. It provides strong switching sensitivity in an area of only 1.45 mm². These features allow lower voltage CGM systems to use smaller button cells and reduce device size. Several leading Chinese CGM manufacturers have adopted it at the design stage, with some already purchasing in volume and entering mass production.
Murata also offers XRCGB-F1S/F2P-series crystals for medical timing applications, combining high precision with reliability. Its proprietary crystal technology uses a metal lid, resin package, crystal chip and flat ceramic base, differing from conventional designs with metal or ceramic lids, metal packages, crystal chips and recessed ceramic bases. The structure provides greater precision and stability.
Comparisons of frequency changes after reflow soldering show XRCGB-F1S/F2P-series crystals have initial frequency deviation of only ±10 ppm across multiple nominal frequencies. Temperature deviation is ±10 ppm from −30 to 85°C or ±20 ppm for the optional −40 to 105°C range. Their stability suits Wi-Fi, BT/BLE, LPWA and other wireless RF applications. Small frequency changes after reflow simplify compensation, while the package design offers reasonable cost and stable supply. Murata also provides free value-added matching services for Bluetooth Low Energy solutions. Compared with initial conditions, Murata's recommended conditions can reduce integrated current consumption measured in μA·s by approximately 15%.