Controllable‐Swelling Microneedle–Assisted Ultrasensitive Paper Sensing Platforms for Personal Health Monitoring

Abstract

Microneedle (MN) patches, which allow the extraction of skin interstitial fluid (ISF) without a pain sensation, are powerful tools for minimally invasive biofluid sampling. Herein, an MN‐assisted paper‐based sensing platform that enables rapid and painless biofluid analysis with ultrasensitive molecular recognition capacity is developed. First, a controllable‐swelling MN patch is constructed through the engineering of a poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate/methacrylated hyaluronic acid hydrogel; it combines rapid, sufficient extraction of ISF with excellent structural integrity. Notably, the analyte molecules in the needles can be recovered into a moist cellulose paper through spontaneous diffusion. More importantly, the paper can be functionalized with enzymatic colorimetric reagents or a plasmonic array, enabling a desired detection capacity—for example, the use of paper‐based surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy sensors leads to label‐free, trace detection (sub‐ppb level) of a diverse set of molecules (cefazolin, nicotine, paraquat, methylene blue). Finally, nicotine is selected as a model drug to evaluate the painless monitoring of three human volunteers. The changes in the nicotine levels can be tracked, with the levels varying significantly in response to the metabolism of drug in different volunteers. This as‐designed minimally invasive sensing system should open up new opportunities for precision medicine, especially for personal healthcare monitoring.

Wearable Microneedle Patch for Transdermal Electrochemical Monitoring of Urea in Interstitial Fluid

“…Thus, we tested the utilized materials for cytotoxicity, as well as for biocompatibility to overgrowing cells. According to the ISO 10993 standard, ≥30% reduction in cell viability after exposure to a device is considered cytotoxic. , First, we ran an indirect cytotoxicity test using the individual materials and combinations of materials. Specifically, the materials were incubated for 24 h in the culture medium ( t = 24 h), cells were exposed to the medium ( t = 0 h), and viability was assessed after 24 h. All materials and material combinations showed no cytotoxicity, , i.e.…”

Microneedle-based glucose monitoring: a review from sampling methods to wearable biosensors

“…Recently, Hsieh et al prepared a hydrogel MN patch that can extract sufficient ISF rapidly, and then the ISF in the needles can be recovered into a moist cellulose paper through spontaneous diffusion. 88 The paper can be functionalized with a plasmonic array or enzymatic colorimetric reagents, enabling a desired detection capacity. The authors functionalized the cellulose paper with Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) to serve as an ultrasensitive, label-free SERS sensing platform.…”

“…Besides, the authors also demonstrated the use of paper for colorimetric analysis. 88 They pre-loaded the cellulose paper with specific oxidases and dye reagents, according to the nature of the target biomolecule. Then, the color readout would be in response to the target concentration, allowing rapid determination by the naked eye.…”

“…Then, the color readout would be in response to the target concentration, allowing rapid determination by the naked eye. 88…”

“…The authors functionalized the cellulose paper with Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) to serve as an ultrasensitive, label-free SERS sensing platform. 88 The excellent molecular fingerprinting ability through a portable 785 nm Raman spectrometer enabled the robust identification of various medications and drugs in the ISF, even at ultralow concentrations (sub-ppb level). This MN-assisted paper-based sensing system allowed a rapid (<30 min), pain-free, minimally invasive monitoring of biomolecules and drugs.…”