Wearable Photonic Device for Multiple Biomarker Sampling and Detection without Blood Draws

Area of Science:

• Biophotonics and Biosensing
• Minimally Invasive Diagnostics
• Wearable Health Technology

Background:

• Traditional phlebotomy involves needles, causing pain and inconvenience.
• Existing diagnostic methods often lack sensitivity or require invasive procedures.
• Need for non-invasive, accurate, and user-friendly biomarker detection methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a wearable photonic device for needle-free blood biomarker sampling and detection.
• To enable painless and convenient monitoring of health status through blood biomarkers.
• To achieve high sensitivity and multiplexed detection of biomarkers.

Main Methods:

• Integration of a microlens array (MLA) and an optic microneedle array (OMNA) functionalized with immunobinding.
• Use of 595 nm LED light to enhance biomarker extravasation in the dermis.
• Specific antibody immobilization on OMNA for targeted biomarker capture and signal amplification.

Main Results:

• The device successfully amplified and transmitted light into the dermis, independent of skin color.
• Light illumination increased capillary biomarker concentrations via thermal dilation and extravasation.
• Demonstrated superior sensitivity compared to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits in mouse models.

Conclusions:

• The wearable photonic device offers a safe and effective needle-free approach for biomarker sampling.
• The technology enables precise, minimally invasive, and multiplexed detection of blood biomarkers.
• Validated in mouse models for quantifying inflammation and antibody production, showing diagnostic potential.