Microneedle Arrays with Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Interstitial Fluid Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring biological markers in biological subjects, such as proteins and hormones, are limited by the inability to effectively sample interstitial fluid, often requiring invasive and costly tissue biopsies or uncomfortable and complex micro-fluidic techniques that are not suitable for general use.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing microstructures with molecularly imprinted polymers to breach the skin's functional barrier, allowing for the detection of analytes like proteins and cytokines by binding them and generating measurable response signals, which are then analyzed to determine their presence, absence, level, or concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If tissue biopsies are used to measure biological markers, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to requiring skilled personnel and complex procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable microneedle arrays that are pre-loaded with detection reagents and discarded after single use. This eliminates the need for complex reusable devices requiring skilled operation, while maintaining high measurement precision through integrated microfluidic channels and sensor elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The microneedle arrays are designed to automatically perform fluid extraction and analysis through capillary action and integrated microfluidic systems. The device self-regulates fluid flow and requires no skilled personnel for operation, yet achieves accurate biological marker detection through built-in sensing capabilities.
2Quantity of substance
If capillary or pumping actions are used in micro-fluidic techniques, then fluid extraction capability is improved, but device complexity worsens due to requiring power sources and complex structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical pumping systems with passive capillary action-based microfluidic channels. This eliminates the need for power sources and complex mechanical components while maintaining effective interstitial fluid extraction through carefully designed channel geometries that exploit capillary forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The microneedle arrays utilize thin-film microfluidic channels integrated into the needle structure. These flexible thin-film channels enable fluid transport through capillary action without requiring bulky mechanical pumps, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining extraction capability.
3Measurement precision
If microneedles pass through the dermis to sample fluid, then analyte detection capability is improved, but object-affected harmful factors worsen due to causing discomfort and irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs microneedles with varying lengths and penetration depths tailored to specific application sites and target analytes. By optimizing needle geometry and penetration depth for each specific use case, the system achieves sufficient analyte detection sensitivity while minimizing unnecessary deep tissue penetration and associated discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The microneedle arrays are designed to penetrate only as deep as necessary to access interstitial fluid, rather than consistently penetrating through the entire dermis. This partial penetration approach maintains adequate analyte detection capability while reducing subject discomfort and irritation from excessive tissue invasion.
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
Enables non-invasive, accurate, and cost-effective measurement of biological markers in interstitial fluid, reducing discomfort and complexity compared to existing methods, while providing continuous monitoring and improved sensitivity for biomarker detection.
Implementation Method 1
the one or more microstructures include a molecularly imprinted polymer for binding one or more analytes
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system and method for performing measurements on a biological subject, and in one particular example, to performing measurements of analytes in a biological subject by breaching a functional barrier of the subject using microstructures, wherein the one or more microstructures include molecularly imprinted polymer for binding one or more analytes.