Transdermal Polymeric Microneedle Sensing Platform for Fentanyl Detection in Biofluid

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Opioid drug abuse is a global health crisis requiring rapid detection methods.
• Existing methods for opioid detection can be slow and require specialized laboratory settings.
• There is a critical need for point-of-need devices for timely identification of opioid exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a microneedle-based electrochemical sensor for the detection of fentanyl.
• To assess the sensor's performance in real serum samples.
• To establish the potential of this platform for point-of-need opioid detection.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a microneedle sensing platform with integrated platinum and silver wires.
• Modification of the sensor surface with graphene ink and a specific ionic liquid.
• Electrochemical detection of fentanyl using square-wave voltammetry.
• Testing the sensor's performance in diluted human serum samples.

Main Results:

• The microneedle sensor demonstrated direct oxidation of fentanyl.
• A sensitive detection limit of 27.8 μM was achieved.
• The sensor provided interference-free detection in serum, maintaining sensitivity, stability, and rapid response time.

Conclusions:

• The developed microneedle sensor is a promising tool for point-of-need fentanyl detection.
• This technology can facilitate rapid countermeasures in cases of opioid exposure.
• The platform opens avenues for detecting other substances of abuse in emergency situations.