Wearable Wireless Tyrosinase Bandage and Microneedle Sensors: Toward Melanoma Screening

Abstract

Wearable bendable bandage-based sensor and a minimally invasive microneedle biosensor are described toward rapid screening of skin melanoma. These wearable electrochemical sensors are capable of detecting the presence of the tyrosinase (TYR) enzyme cancer biomarker in the presence of its catechol substrate, immobilized on the transducer surface. In the presence of the surface TYR biomarker, the immobilized catechol is rapidly converted to benzoquinone that is detected amperometrically, with a current signal proportional to the TYR level. The flexible epidermal bandage sensor relies on printing stress-enduring inks which display good resiliency against mechanical deformations, whereas the hollow microneedle device is filled with catechol-coated carbon paste for assessing tissue TYR levels. The bandage sensor can thus be used directly on the skin whereas microneedle device can reach melanoma tissues under the skin. Both wearable sensors are interfaced to an ultralight flexible electronic board, which transmits data wirelessly to a mobile device. The analytical performance of the resulting bandage and microneedle sensing systems are evaluated using TYR-containing agarose phantom gel and porcine skin. The new integrated conformal portable sensing platforms hold considerable promise for decentralized melanoma screening, and can be extended to the screening of other key biomarkers in skin moles.

Engineering Microneedles for Therapy and Diagnosis: A Survey

“…The microelectronic system integrated MN devices can transform biosignals into electrical signals for comprehensive healthcare. Cui et al described a novel wearable bandage and a MN-based electrochemical sensing device toward rapid screening of skin melanoma ( Figure 8A) [164]. The hollow MN sensor was modified with catechol-coated carbon paste for screening tissue tyrosinase levels, a biomarker of skin melanoma.…”

Biomedical Applications of Polymeric Microneedles for Transdermal Therapeutic Delivery and Diagnosis: Current Status and Future Perspectives

“…[120][121][122] For instance, Ciui et al reported the combination of a wearable wireless bandage sensor with microneedles for in situ melanoma screening. [123] Lee et al reported the fabrication of thermo-responsive polymeric microneedles combined with glucose sensors for continuous glucose monitoring and on demand drug release. [124] These smart designs endow Figure 7.…”

Micro and Nanoneedles for Drug Delivery and Biosensing

“…Tang et al developed functionalized microneedles to monitor nitric oxide release in rats using amperometry [20]. Ciui et al developed a wearable wireless bandage constituting of microneedle sensors for melanoma detection [21]. A chemical (catechol) was immobilized on the transducer surface, which can be converted to benzoquinone with the presence of the tyrosinase, for melanoma detection.…”