Wearable Microneedle Patch Integrated with Metal Hydrogel-Based Signal Probe for Dermal Interstitial Fluid Protein...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Wearable Technology
• Biosensing

Background:

• Real-time protein biomarker tracking in dermal interstitial fluid (ISF) is challenging.
• Limitations exist in analyte sensing, ISF extraction, and system integration for current methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a wearable microneedle patch (w-MN patch) for simultaneous ISF sampling and monitoring of immunoglobulin G (IgG).
• To achieve real-time, wireless in-vivo monitoring of a key protein biomarker.

Main Methods:

• Integration of a metal hydrogel-based electrochemical probe with a wearable microneedle patch.
• Utilizing a ferrocene-anchored, polydopamine-functionalized Au gel for sensitive IgG detection.
• Employing a hollow microneedle (HMN) array for efficient ISF extraction and a custom packaging chamber for system integration.

Main Results:

• Achieved an ultralow detection limit of 0.05 ng mL⁻¹ for IgG.
• Demonstrated rapid ISF collection (5.6 µL within 5 min) using the HMN array in a live rat model.
• Successfully realized real-time, wireless in-vivo IgG monitoring via the integrated w-MN patch.

Conclusions:

• The developed w-MN patch offers a fully integrated platform for sensitive protein biomarker detection and efficient ISF extraction.
• This technology holds significant potential for precision diagnostics and next-generation wearable healthcare.
• The study highlights advancements in wearable device engineering for continuous health monitoring.