The need for a range of blood tests may soon be over with researchers developing a new patch to test for various conditions.
Scientists in the United States have created a self-powered microneedle patch to monitor a range of health biomarkers without drawing blood or relying on batteries or external devices.
Study author Michael Daniele, from NC State University, said in proof-of-concept testing with synthetic skin, the researchers demonstrated the patches could collect biomarker samples over periods ranging from 15 minutes to 24 hours.
“Biomarkers are measurable indicators of biological processes, which can help us monitor health and diagnose medical conditions,” Associate Professor Daniele said.
“The vast majority of conventional biomarker testing relies on taking blood samples. In addition to being unpleasant for most people, blood samples also pose challenges for health professionals and technology developers,” he said.
“That’s because blood is a complex system, and you need to remove the platelets, red blood cells, and so on before you can test the relevant fluid.”
Associate Professor Daniele said the new patch used microneedles to sample the fluid that surrounded cells.
“This is called dermal interstitial fluid (ISF), and it contains almost all of the same biomarkers found in blood,” he said.
“What’s more, ISF makes for a ‘cleaner’ sample – it doesn’t need to be processed the way blood does before you can test it. Essentially, it streamlines the biomarker testing process.”
Professor Daniele said the microneedle patch was “fully passive” and didn’t rely on either batteries nor external energy sources to take or store ISF samples.
Read the full study: Design and characterization of a self-powered microneedle microfluidic system for interstitial fluid sampling.
