Microneedle Dermal Patch for Multi-Time Biomarker Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for monitoring biomarkers are invasive, cumbersome, and suffer from low sensitivity and specificity, making it difficult to monitor biomarker levels over time, especially in small volumes of physiological samples.
Innovation Solution
A dermal patch with sensing units, microneedles, and selector devices for collecting and analyzing physiological samples, incorporating processing reagents and buffers, and electronic circuitry for signal processing, allowing discrete measurements at multiple times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional invasive methods (blood drawing) are used for biomarker monitoring, then measurement capability is achieved, but patient comfort deteriorates and cooperation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dermal patch with a flexible substrate that conforms to the skin surface, enabling non-invasive or minimally invasive analyte collection. The thin film structure allows close contact with the skin while housing sensing elements, thereby eliminating the need for needle-based blood draws and reducing patient discomfort while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary sampling mechanism (e.g., microneedles, sweat collection layers, or interstitial fluid access) that mediates between the invasive blood draw and non-invasive monitoring. This intermediary allows analyte collection from less painful sources (such as interstitial fluid or sweat) that still provide sufficient biomarker information, thus reducing patient discomfort while preserving detection accuracy.
2Duration of action of moving object
If conventional applicators are used for analyte monitoring, then continuous monitoring is achieved, but sensitivity and specificity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensing system into multiple discrete sensing units or zones on the patch, each potentially targeting different analytes or providing redundant measurement. This segmentation allows for specialized detection mechanisms in each zone, improving overall sensitivity and specificity while maintaining continuous monitoring through aggregation of signals from multiple units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the dermal patch with multi-functional sensing capabilities that can detect multiple types of analytes (glucose, lactate, pH, etc.) simultaneously using integrated sensing elements. This multi-functionality allows a single device to provide continuous monitoring with high sensitivity and specificity across multiple biomarkers, eliminating the need for separate conventional applicators for each analyte.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensing units are integrated in a single patch, then monitoring versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing units, reagent reservoirs, and electronic components into a single integrated dermal patch structure. By merging these elements onto one flexible substrate with shared fluidic channels and power sources, the device achieves multi-analyte detection capability while controlling overall complexity through systematic integration rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested architecture where smaller functional elements (sensing zones, micro-reservoirs, conductive traces) are embedded within layers of the patch structure. This nesting approach allows multiple sensing units to be packaged in a compact arrangement, improving versatility while minimizing the increase in device complexity through efficient spatial organization.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a dermal patch is disclosed, which comprises at least a pair of sensing units each configured for detecting at least one analyte in a physiological sample, at least one microneedle configured for puncturing the skin to allow collection of the physiological sample, and a selector device for selecting any one of said sensing units for receiving at least a portion of said collected physiological sample for analysis thereof.