- F. Bakhshandeh, H. Zheng, N. G. Barra, S. Sadeghzadeh, I. Ausri, P. Sen, F. Keyvani, F. Rahman, J. Quadrilatero, J. Liu, J. D. Schertzer, L. Soleymani, M. Poudineh, Wearable Aptalyzer Integrates Microneedle and Electrochemical Sensing for In Vivo Monitoring of Glucose and Lactate in Live Animals. Adv. Mater. 2024, 2313743. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202313743
A skin patch to monitor health data?
Researchers developed a wearable patch that can continuously monitor blood glucose, lactates and other vital health indicators for weeks.
Deep enough for interstitial fluid, without reaching blood vessels or nerves
Researchers from two Ontario universities have developed a wearable, non-invasive sensor that can continuously monitor blood glucose levels, lactates and other key health indicators for weeks, sending the results to a smartphone or other device.
The Aptalyzer, created by a team of researchers from McMaster University and the University of Waterloo, uses a series of tiny hydrogel needles that penetrate deep enough into the skin to reach interstitial fluid, but not deep enough to reach blood vessels or nerves. The patch collects and sends information about markers in the fluid to an electronic device such as a smartphone, creating a continuous record of the rise and fall of critical biomarkers.
Once developed for clinical use, it will allow doctors to access information in real time, whereas it is usually only available retrospectively after blood tests and laboratory analyses. The new technology could make monitoring markers of specific diseases and conditions as simple as monitoring heart rate, blood pressure and other parameters.
This technology can provide real-time information on both chronic and acute health conditions, enabling healthcare professionals to act more quickly and with greater certainty when problems arise. The Aptalyzer is a basic device, which means that it can measure any biomarker of interest, from what the diabetologist needs to cardiac biomarkers.
Continuous monitoring of clinical parameters only helps to detect diseases early and monitor how treatments are working. It also helps to understand how diseases manifest themselves, filling important gaps in our knowledge that need attention.
Photo credit: Advanced Materials
Events are monitored in real time
The patient applies and removes the patch like a small bandage held in place by barely visible soft hooks. This convenience is likely to appeal to diabetes patients and others who test by taking blood samples or using invasive monitoring patches with metal needles that penetrate deeper and rely on less specific electrodes. The technology's greatest promise, however, may lie in its ability to produce meaningful results for weeks at a time and to transmit data to electronic devices that experts can read without sophisticated equipment.
Among other potential applications, the Aptalyzer may make it possible to read and send data reporting cardiac events in real time, making it a potentially valuable tool for monitoring patients in ambulances, emergency rooms and during treatment. According to the researchers, the same technology can easily be adapted to monitor the progress and treatment of many chronic diseases, including cancers.
The technology holds promise for improving the use of treatment in remote settings, such as communities far from hospitals, or on space flights. Aptalyzer data can flag problems before symptoms become apparent, making it more likely that patients will receive timely treatment.
The next steps in developing the technology for widespread use include human trials and regulatory approvals. Researchers are looking for partners to help them commercialise the technology.