We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Events

09 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024 - 17 Apr 2024
23 Apr 2024 - 26 Apr 2024

‘Smart Patch’ Detects Alzheimer's Using Microneedle Technology

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 19 Jan 2023
Print article
A new diagnostic tool uses skin as a window to the body and brain (Photo courtesy of Swansea University)
A new diagnostic tool uses skin as a window to the body and brain (Photo courtesy of Swansea University)

A new ‘smart patch’ can detect proinflammatory biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's by using microneedle technology. The breakthrough in the advancement of transdermal capability could pave the way for the use of ‘smart patches’ to detect certain biomarkers within skin interstitial fluid (ISF) in a “bloodless” manner. The patches are comprised of arrays of tiny needles (microneedles) that are designed to break the skin barrier – in a minimally invasive manner - and monitor clinically significant biomarkers. They can be self-administered for POC diagnosis or at home. The innovation could prove to be a game changer in the field of early neurodegenerative disease detection.

The skin is the largest organ in the body and contains more ISF than the total volume of blood. The fluid is an ultrafiltrate of blood and holds biomarkers that complement other biofluids like sweat, saliva, and urine. It can be sampled in a minimally invasive way and used for testing at the POC as well as in real time using microneedle devices. Dr. Sanjiv Sharma, a leading scientist at Swansea University (Swansea, UK) who had previously developed the world’s first COVID-19 ‘smart patch’, employed microneedle array-based biosensing patches as wearable transdermal sensors to detect the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6. IL-6 is present in the skin ISF with other cytokines and is implicated in several clinical states including neurodegenerative diseases and fatal pneumonia due to SARS-CoV-2.

Dr. Sharma and his collaborators were able to detect IL-6 at concentrations as low as 1 pg/mL in synthetic skin ISF, suggesting its utility for routine POC, bloodless measurements in simpler settings, across the world. The devices developed by the team are scalable, and the resulting sensor has a short measurement time of six minutes, along with high accuracy and low limit of detection. The new diagnostic tool for screening of inflammatory biomarkers in POC testing tunes the skin into a window to the body and vital organs like the brain.

“Biomark ISEP Porto have pioneered applications of molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) and extended them to different healthcare applications,” said Felismina Moreira from the School of Engineering, Polytechnic Institute, who also collaborated in the research. “Together with Swansea's expertise in transdermal diagnostics we have demonstrated that the MIPs together with the microneedle arrays offers a fantastic platform for the development of point of care devices for bloodless testing. These can be extended to diagnostics for cardiovascular, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.”

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
One Step HbA1c Measuring System
GREENCARE A1c
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
New
Gold Member
Plasma Control
Plasma Control Level 1

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The cobas Malaria test is the first FDA-approved molecular test to screen U.S. blood donors for malaria (Photo courtesy of Roche)

First FDA-Approved Molecular Test to Screen Blood Donors for Malaria Could Improve Patient Safety

Malaria, a serious illness that often leads to death, is spread by a specific mosquito species that infect humans with a parasite. Other transmission modes include blood transfusions, organ transplants,... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The medical office procedure detects the key biomarker in Parkinson’s and related neurodegenerative diseases (Photo courtesy of BIDMC)

Simple Skin Biopsy Test Detects Parkinson’s and Related Neurodegenerative Diseases

Parkinson's disease and a group of related neurodegenerative disorders known as synucleinopathies impact millions globally. These conditions, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.