3D-printed microneedles with open groove channels for liquid extraction

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Microneedles (MNs) provide a minimally invasive method for accessing skin interstitial fluid.
• Integration with portable sensors allows for in situ bioanalysis of biomarkers.
• Current methods may lack efficient fluid collection and integrated analysis capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate a novel microneedle (MN) platform with open groove channels for interstitial fluid sampling.
• To enable in situ analysis of biomarkers from extracted skin fluid.
• To showcase the platform's utility using glucose as a model biomarker.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of microneedle (MN) platform with open groove channels using photopolymerization 3D printing.
• Design allowing capillary force-driven liquid flow from needle tips to the base.
• Demonstration of skin penetration and liquid sampling in a skin model.
• In situ analysis of extracted glucose using commercial test strips attached to the MN device.

Main Results:

• Successful fabrication of a microneedle (MN) platform with integrated open groove channels.
• Demonstrated efficient sampling of liquid from a skin model via capillary action.
• Validated in situ glucose detection in the sampled fluid using attached commercial test strips.

Conclusions:

• The developed 3D-printed microneedle (MN) platform offers a promising approach for minimally invasive biofluid sampling.
• The integrated groove design facilitates efficient fluid collection and enables direct in situ biomarker analysis.
• This technology holds potential for advancing portable and wearable diagnostic devices for point-of-care applications.