Fabrication of sponge-forming microneedle patch for rapidly sampling interstitial fluid for analysis

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Medical Devices
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Microneedle (MN) patches offer a minimally invasive method for collecting dermal interstitial fluid (ISF).
• Current MN technologies face challenges with prolonged sampling times, hindering rapid biomarker analysis.
• Efficient and rapid ISF extraction is crucial for timely clinical diagnostics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel sponge-forming MN patch for rapid ISF extraction.
• To evaluate the efficiency and safety of the new MN patch for ISF collection.
• To demonstrate the utility of the extracted ISF for subsequent biomarker analysis.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a sponge-forming microneedle patch using polyvinyl formal (PVF).
• In vitro and in vivo testing of the MN patch for ISF extraction efficiency and speed.
• Assessment of skin recovery and MN patch integrity post-usage.
• Evaluation of ISF recovery from the MN patch via centrifugation for biomarker analysis (glucose, cholesterol).

Main Results:

• The PVF-based MN patch demonstrated rapid ISF extraction, collecting 1.6 mg in 1 minute without external devices.
• The MN patch maintained structural integrity and left no skin residues, with skin recovery within 8 hours.
• Efficient recovery of ISF from the MN patch was achieved through simple centrifugation.
• Successful offline analysis of biomarkers like glucose and cholesterol from the extracted ISF was performed.

Conclusions:

• The novel sponge-forming MN patch enables rapid and efficient ISF collection.
• This technology facilitates minimally invasive biomarker detection for real-life applications.
• The PVF MN patch shows significant potential for improving diagnostic timelines and patient care.