GelMA Microneedle Patch for Minimally Invasive ISF Sampling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting interstitial fluid (ISF) from skin are invasive, time-consuming, and require specialized equipment and medical expertise, limiting their applicability and accessibility for patient monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A patch with microneedles formed from crosslinked gelatin-based material, such as gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), is used to penetrate the skin and absorb ISF, allowing for self-application and direct detection or analysis of biomarkers and drugs without causing significant discomfort or damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional blood sampling methods are used, then accurate biomarker detection is achieved, but patient discomfort and infection risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of biomarker detection from blood sampling and implements it through alternative body fluid sampling (saliva, urine, sweat, ISF). The microneedle patch extracts interstitial fluid through the stratum corneum without penetrating deeper into the body, thereby achieving biomarker detection while avoiding the harmful effects of invasive blood sampling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate body fluids (particularly interstitial fluid) as mediators between blood and external sampling. These fluids serve as proxies that contain biomarkers reflective of blood composition but can be accessed through minimally invasive means, thus maintaining measurement precision while reducing patient discomfort and infection risk.
2Quantity of substance
If ISF sampling techniques such as suction blisters or microdialysis are used, then ISF extraction is achieved, but specialized equipment and medical expertise are required
Solution Approach 1:
The microneedle patch is designed for self-application by patients without requiring medical professionals. The patch automatically extracts ISF through the microneedles that penetrate the stratum corneum, and the integrated absorbent material passively collects the fluid through capillary action, eliminating the need for specialized equipment or medical expertise.
Solution Approach 2:
The microneedle patch is designed as a disposable, single-use device that is inexpensive to manufacture and apply. Each patch contains pre-formed microneedles and absorbent material that work together to extract ISF, then are discarded after one use, eliminating the need for complex, expensive, reusable equipment requiring specialized operation and maintenance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If microneedles are used for ISF extraction, then minimally invasive sampling is achieved, but sufficient ISF quantity for analysis must be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines microneedles for penetration with an integrated absorbent material (hydrogel or matrix) within the same patch structure. The microneedles create extraction channels through the stratum corneum, while the absorbent material directly contacts these channels and passively draws ISF through capillary action, merging the penetration and collection functions into a single integrated device that maximizes ISF quantity while maintaining minimal invasiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The gelatin-based microneedle patch enables efficient, minimally invasive extraction and detection of ISF, facilitating rapid analysis of biomolecules like glucose and vancomycin, with minimal skin recovery time and no significant injury.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of microneedles penetrate into the living tissue and absorb one or more drugs, analytes, compounds, molecules, or biomarkers present in the tissue
Implementation Method 2
Gelatin-based microneedle patch for minimally-invasive extraction of bodily fluids
Implementation Method 3
a patch having microneedles formed thereon is disclosed that has microneedles formed from a crosslinked gelatin-based material
Data Source
AI summary
A gelatin-based (e.g., gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)) patch is disclosed with an array of microneedles (MNs) for minimally invasive sampling of bodily fluids such as interstitial fluid (ISF). The properties of the patch can be tuned by altering the concentration of the GelMA prepolymer and the crosslinking time. The GelMA-based MN patch demonstrated efficient extraction of ISF. Furthermore, in experimental testing, the patch efficiently and quantitatively detects glucose and vancomycin in ISF in an in vivo study. This minimally invasive approach of extracting ISF with a GelMA microneedle enables to detection and analysis of target molecules from patients. The target molecules captured in the patch may be released and analyzed to detect the presence of and/or concentration of target molecules. In other embodiments, the patch itself may be analyzed directly to detect the presence of and/or concentration of target molecules.