Clinic-on-a-Needle Array toward Future Minimally Invasive Wearable Artificial Pancreas Applications.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Diabetes management requires reliable glucose monitoring and insulin delivery.
• Current systems face limitations in sensor reliability and component integration.
• Advanced closed-loop artificial pancreas systems are needed for autonomous diabetes care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a minimally invasive, transdermal, multiplex continuous metabolite monitoring system.
• To integrate sensing and drug delivery functions onto a single wearable platform.
• To create a cost-effective and reliable personalized clinical tool for diabetes management.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a chemically modified silicon nanowire field-effect transistor (SiNW-FET) nanosensor array on microneedle elements.
• Developed a 2D architecture on a single SOI substrate for 3D functionality.
• Integrated microinjection needle elements for potential drug delivery.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated direct, continuous monitoring of subcutaneous interstitial fluid (ISF) metabolites without extraction.
• Achieved selective multimetabolite sensing, unaffected by common interferents.
• Successfully performed in vivo continuous glucose monitoring in human subjects.
• Showcased single-chip glucose monitoring and insulin delivery in a mice model.

Conclusions:

• The developed platform offers a versatile and reliable approach for continuous glucose monitoring.
• The integrated sensing and delivery system holds promise for future artificial pancreas applications.
• This multifunctional platform can serve as a valuable tool for personalized diabetes management and research.