Plasmonic Paper Microneedle Patch for On-Patch Detection of Molecules in Dermal Interstitial Fluid

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Minimally invasive devices for dermal interstitial fluid (ISF) analysis are crucial for point-of-care diagnostics.
• Current methods for ISF analysis often require complex procedures and laboratory settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a microneedle (MN) patch for collecting ISF and performing on-patch biomarker analysis.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for quantifying biomarkers in collected ISF.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a microneedle patch with plasmonic paper for ISF collection.
• Immobilization of gold nanorods (AuNRs) on filter paper using poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) for SERS detection.
• Quantification of rhodamine 6G (R6G) as a model compound in ISF using SERS.

Main Results:

• Successful collection of microliter quantities of ISF via microneedles.
• Detection and quantification of R6G in ISF and serum using the SERS-based MN patch.
• Demonstration of in vivo pharmacokinetic profiling of R6G in rats.

Conclusions:

• The developed plasmonic paper MN patch enables on-patch analysis of ISF.
• This technology holds promise for future research and medical applications requiring real-time molecular detection.
• Microneedle-based SERS offers a minimally invasive approach for biomarker monitoring.