Lollylab: A Lollipop-Inspired Device for Saliva Collection and Detection of Acetaminophen Toxicity in Pediatric
Sina Khazaee Nejad1, Haozheng Ma1, Mona A Mohamed1
1Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, 1042 Downey Way, Los Angeles90089, California, United States.
Abstract:
Acetaminophen is the most commonly used over-the-counter pain relief medication. However, despite its widespread use, high doses of acetaminophen can be toxic and are the leading cause of acute liver failure in children, as well as the most common reason for liver transplants in the United States. Saliva collection offers a more convenient alternative to traditional blood sampling methods, with acetaminophen levels in saliva closely reflecting those in the blood, making it a reliable substitute for measuring acetaminophen levels. In this study, we introduce Lollylab, a lollipop-inspired device designed to collect saliva and transfer it to a laser-induced graphene electrode. The acetaminophen levels in the saliva are then detected using electrochemical techniques by measuring the oxidation of acetaminophen on the electrode surface. Lollylab is particularly user-friendly for children, allowing them to collect saliva simply by licking the candy.
