From Catheters to Light Beams: Reinventing Cardiac Diagnostics with Integrated Photonics
- On 21 April, 2026
Accurate temperature measurement is essential for certain methods in clinical cardiovascular diagnostics, yet achieving extreme precision in a non-invasive way has long come with significant challenges. Traditional methods for measuring complex physiological parameters such as cardiac output and stroke volume often rely on invasive catheters, adding risk to patient safety and limiting the speed of diagnostics. Moreover, conventional electronic sensors used there are generally prone to signal degradation and electromagnetic interference (EMI), which can compromise the stability of critical medical data.
And Dutch company Amazec Photonics found a way to solve exactly this problem.
A Breakthrough in Thermal Precision
Amazec Photonics is at the very forefront of ultra-high-resolution temperature measurement: the company has engineered a sensing platform capable of detecting thermal fluctuations to an unprecedented precision of 0.0001˚C – a massive leap forward compared to the typical current accuracy of 0.01˚C.
The extreme performance relies on the use of fiber optics sensors in combination with the most advanced interrogator systems based on Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) using spectrometry and interferometry principles for improved resolution and minitiaturization. The diagnostic method used is called thermodilution: Indicator Dilution Curves (IDC) are measured with a sensor after injection of a cold fluid bolus or inhalation of cold air respectively. The photonic sensor allows temperature monitoring such that measurement of repeated IDC’s becomes feasible, allowing to extract more valuable data than ever before. This unprecedented level of sensitivity makes the technology suitable for the accurate, non-invasive measurement of vital physiological parameters such as cardiac output and stroke volume, providing a safer and more compact alternative to existing solutions.
The principle behind is relatively simple: temperature changes of the sensing fiber cause a shift in wavelength of the reflected light, which can be measured very precisely by the special readout system. And this readout system is the main differentiator for Amazec’s technology. Unlike conventional solutions, which are prone to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and signal degradation, Amazec’s PIC-based systems are entirely immune to EMI and offer unparalleled stability. Complex optical pathways are integrated onto a single, millimeter-scale chip, resulting in a device that is not only more accurate but also more compact and scalable than existing alternatives.
From Prototype to Clinical Trials
Building a cutting-edge medical device requires a bridge between high-performance design and reliable manufacturing. For this, Amazec Photonics partnered with LIGENTEC, whose technology and manufacturing processes underpin the PICs used in their readout systems.
LIGENTEC supported Amazec through the implementation of on-chip designs and prototyping iterations, leading to the production of optimized samples for Functional Model (FuMo) units. These units are currently being used for animal and pre-clinical trials in cooperation with Catharina Hospital Eindhoven and the University of Eindhoven (TU/e).
Pim Kat, CEO at Amazec Photonics, is very positive about the technical success:
“…we managed to achieve first-time-right designs, which is quite challenging in integrated photonics space based on our previous experience. The devices have shown very high performance […], resulting in a world-record resolution and stability of temperature sensing…”
Performance That Opens New Markets
The combination of demanding technical requirements and high reliability has resulted in a platform robust enough to be adapted for challenges beyond the medical sector: while initially rooted in healthcare, the extreme sensitivity of Amazec’s readout systems has already attracted interest from other high-tech industrial sectors. This has led to spin-off activities that leverage the same core technology to serve non-medical applications.
As Amazec prepares for the production and rapid market deployment of its systems, the company is led by a very experienced team including CEO Pim Kat — a recognized pioneer who has spent over three decades advancing the Netherlands’ photonics ecosystem. Before founding Amazec Photonics in 2020, he also founded the Technobis Group (now PhotonFirst), where he laid the groundwork for the integrated photonics sensing technology and its commercial applications. His contributions to the field earned him the Royal Honour of Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau.
To learn more about Amazec Photonics and their breakthrough sensing technology, visit amazec-photonics.nl.
