Devices and systems for optically determining a concentration of an analyte in a living subject using hydrogel-based, fluorescent microneedles and methods of manufacture thereof

• Main Authors: Rueegg, Matthieu Jean Michel, Tejavibulya, Nalin, Sia, Samuel K
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 28.04.2020
• Subjects: AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, ORSURGICAL ARTICLES; DIAGNOSIS; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION, OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; IDENTIFICATION; INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULARARTICLES; INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, OR SURGICALARTICLES; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS INGENERAL; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL, OR TOILET PURPOSES; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SURGERY; TRANSPORTING; WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL

At least one microneedle comprises a hydrogel material that includes a substance that fluoresces when the substance interacts with an analyte. A magnitude of the fluorescence varies as a function of the concentration of the analyte. During use, the hydrogel material is illuminated with illumination light in a first wavelength range while the hydrogel material interfaces with the dermal interstitial fluid layer of a subject, and a photosensor generates an output that corresponds to an amount of light received in a second wavelength range.