Microscale Biosensor Array Based on Flexible Polymeric Platform toward Lab-on-a-Needle: Real-Time Multiparameter...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• In vivo sensing is crucial for disease prediction and management.
• Fabricating uniform multiparameter needle-based biosensors presents significant challenges.
• Existing methods struggle with sensor uniformity and precise material localization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a microscale biosensor array on a flexible polyimide platform for multiparametric in vivo sensing.
• To integrate this array onto a medical needle for enhanced disease detection capabilities.
• To demonstrate the potential for real-time cancer tissue discrimination using electrochemical sensing.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a microscale biosensor array on a flexible polyimide substrate using electrodeposition.
• Integration of the biosensor array onto a medical needle (1.2 mm diameter).
• Electrochemical measurement of electrical conductivity, pH, glucose, and lactate concentrations.
• Evaluation using solution samples and a hydrogel phantom mimicking normal and cancerous tissues.

Main Results:

• Successful development of a flexible biosensor array with precise material localization (150 μm × 2 mm).
• Demonstrated ability to measure four key parameters (conductivity, pH, glucose, lactate) simultaneously.
• Validated sensor performance in solution samples within physiological ranges.
• Confirmed feasibility of in vivo sensing during needle insertion in a tissue phantom.

Conclusions:

• The developed needle-based biosensor array offers a promising solution for multiparametric in vivo sensing.
• Precise electrodeposition enables high-resolution fabrication of sensor arrays on flexible platforms.
• This technology has the potential for real-time discrimination of cancerous tissues based on metabolic changes.
• Further in vivo studies are warranted to validate clinical applicability.