Catheter-Electrode System for Continuous Aptamer-Based Sensing in the Rat Subcutaneous Space

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Biosensor Technology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Electrochemical aptamer-based (E-AB) sensors offer high temporal resolution for continuous in vivo molecular monitoring.
• Traditional E-AB sensor probe fabrication is manual, time-consuming, and requires specialized expertise, limiting accessibility.
• Interstitial fluid (ISF) is a key target for continuous molecular monitoring due to its accessibility and relevance in biosensor research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an accessible fabrication method for in vivo E-AB sensors.
• To reduce the technical skill and time required for constructing functional E-AB probes.
• To facilitate broader adoption of E-AB sensor technology for real-time molecular monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Combined established device construction with additive manufacturing (stereolithography) for rapid prototyping.
• Developed a platform for continuous molecular monitoring in the subcutaneous interstitial fluid (ISF) of rodent models.
• Focused on simplifying prohibitive fabrication steps to lower the skill threshold.

Main Results:

• Successfully demonstrated a new fabrication approach for E-AB sensor probes.
• Enabled continuous molecular monitoring in the ISF of rodent models.
• Reduced the complexity and expertise needed for E-AB probe construction.

Conclusions:

• The novel fabrication method significantly lowers the barrier to entry for creating E-AB sensors.
• This approach promotes wider adoption of E-AB technology in research laboratories.
• Accelerates the development and application of real-time, in vivo molecular monitoring systems.