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Microneedle sensors may allow real-time monitoring of body chemistry

Date:
December 14, 2011
Source:
North Carolina State University
Summary:
Researchers have developed new technology that uses microneedles to allow doctors to detect real-time chemical changes in the body -- and to continuously do so for an extended period of time.
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Researchers from North Carolina State University, Sandia National Laboratories, and the University of California, San Diego have developed new technology that uses microneedles to allow doctors to detect real-time chemical changes in the body -- and to continuously do so for an extended period of time.

"We've loaded the hollow channels within microneedles with electrochemical sensors that can be used to detect specific molecules or pH levels," says Dr. Roger Narayan, co-author of a paper describing the research, and a professor in the joint biomedical engineering department of NC State's College of Engineering and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Existing technology relies on taking samples and testing them, whereas this approach allows continuous monitoring, Narayan explains. "For example, it could monitor glucose levels in a diabetic patient," Narayan says. Microneedles are very small needles in which at least one dimension -- such as length -- is less than one millimeter.

"The idea is that customized microneedle sensor arrays could be developed and incorporated into wearable devices, such as something like a wristwatch, to help answer specific medical or research questions," Narayan says. "It's also worth pointing out that microneedles are not painful."

In addition to its clinical applications, the new technology may also create opportunities for new research endeavors. For example, the microneedle sensor arrays could be used to track changes in lactate levels while people are exercising -- rather than measuring those levels only before and after exercise.

The researchers developed a proof-of-concept sensor array incorporating three types of sensors, which could measure pH, glucose and lactate. However, Narayan says the array could be modified to monitor a wide variety of chemicals.


Story Source:

Materials provided by North Carolina State University. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Philip R. Miller, Shelby A. Skoog, Thayne L. Edwards, Deanna M. Lopez, David R. Wheeler, Dulce C. Arango, Xiaoyin Xiao, Susan M. Brozik, Joseph Wang, Ronen Polsky, Roger J. Narayan. Multiplexed microneedle-based biosensor array for characterization of metabolic acidosis. Talanta, 2011; DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2011.11.046

Cite This Page:

North Carolina State University. "Microneedle sensors may allow real-time monitoring of body chemistry." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 14 December 2011. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111213110243.htm>.
North Carolina State University. (2011, December 14). Microneedle sensors may allow real-time monitoring of body chemistry. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111213110243.htm
North Carolina State University. "Microneedle sensors may allow real-time monitoring of body chemistry." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111213110243.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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