Microneedle sensors for continuous monitoring of dermal interstitial fluid

The rapid advancement in personalized medicine has spurred the creation of wearable biomedical devices capable of real-time biomarker tracking and diagnosis. Conventional methods of blood-based diagnostics are not only painful but also provide limited health insights that are only temporary.

To overcome these challenges, platforms using microneedles for sensing have been developed, which use interstitial fluid (ISF) as an alternative biofluid for ongoing health monitoring in a minimally invasive and painless way.

Led by Wei Gao from the California Institute of Technology, a research team offers an extensive overview of microneedle sensor technology, discussing aspects such as microneedle design, fabrication techniques, and sensing approaches.

Furthermore, it examines the incorporation of monitoring electronics for continuous on-body surveillance. It also presents various applications of microneedle sensing platforms for both monitoring and therapeutic interventions. This technology holds the promise to revolutionize personalized healthcare and improve patient outcomes significantly.

The evolution of microneedle sensing platforms represents a major advancement in personalized healthcare and wearable biosensing technologies. This review highlights the multifaceted aspects of microneedle sensing technology and emphasizes its promise as a platform for daily health monitoring and diagnosis. By combining microneedles with innovative sensing mechanisms and compact monitoring electronics, we achieve minimally invasive and continuous detection of various biomarkers found in interstitial fluid (ISF).

With the notable progress in microneedle sensing technology, wearable ISF analysis devices are poised to revolutionize healthcare by replacing traditional blood-based diagnostics, offering convenience and enhanced patient experiences in the near future.

Journal reference:

1. Gwangmook Kim, Hyunah Ahn, Joshua Chaj Ulloa & Wei Gao. Microneedle sensors for dermal interstitial fluid analysis. Med-X, 2024; DOI: 10.1007/s44258-024-00028-0