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Glucose control patch

29.09.2020

A team of researchers from the Institute of Industrial Sciences at the University of Tokyo has developed a microneedle patch combined with a paper sensor to monitor glucose levels.

Microneedles are tiny needles less than 1 mm long that are so short that they do not contact neurons when they enter the skin, meaning they do not cause pain. They do not pierce the skin to the point of blood, but they can collect subcutaneous fluid, which contains most of the important biomarkers.

Engineers around the world have already developed several types of microneedles, but until now, creating a practical device that quickly analyzes a liquid and produces a result seemed elusive.

Japanese scientists have overcome this problem by developing a way to combine porous microneedles with paper sensors. The result is an inexpensive, painless, easy-to-use, and highly practical one-time test for diagnosing prediabetes or controlling blood sugar levels in diabetes.

To produce such a diagnostic device, microneedles are first made. To do this, the molten mixture of biodegradable polymer and salt is poured into the cone-shaped cavities of the microplate. Then the form is turned over and the bottom of the microneedles is placed on a sheet of paper and pressed under pressure. This causes the mixture to penetrate the pores of the paper and secure the microneedles. After being demoulded, the needles are cooled in a special solution that draws out all the salt from them, leaving behind thousands of holes or pores through which the subcutaneous fluid can flow. Finally, a paper glucose sensor is attached to the paper base of the microneedle set using double-sided tape.

The scientists tested the patch on an agarose gel in which glucose was dissolved. Liquid from the gel flowed through the porous microneedles into the paper substrate, and from there onto the sensor layer. The glucose concentration was accurately recorded by the color change of the paper sensor.

The big advantage of the new technology is that its use does not require any medical knowledge or special training. In addition, the microneedles are biosoluble and biocompatible, meaning they will not cause any problems even if they remain in the skin after the dressing is removed.

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