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 hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
ARAB HEALTH - INFORMA

Download Mobile App




Flexible Device Enables Sweat Gland Stimulation and Simultaneous Biosensing

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 29 May 2024
Print article
Image: The device stimulates sweat production through drug delivery to the skin (Photo courtesy of KIST)
Image: The device stimulates sweat production through drug delivery to the skin (Photo courtesy of KIST)

Human sweat is rich in biomarkers that can be used to monitor a range of health conditions, from diabetes to genetic disorders. Many users prefer sweat sampling over blood collection because it is painless. However, one must engage in intense physical activity to produce enough sweat to extract sufficient nutrients or hormones from sweat for testing. This requirement is particularly challenging for those with limited mobility. Researchers have now developed a new type of sweat monitoring device that stimulates sweat production through drug delivery to the skin, eliminating the need for physical exertion.

The device was created through a collaboration between researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST, Seoul, South Korea) and Northwestern University (Evanston, IL, USA). This innovative device applies a current to a drug-containing hydrogel, which then delivers the drugs directly to the sweat glands. The device is flexible, small, and soft, making it easy to attach to the skin. Sweat stimulated by the drug is channeled into microfluidic channels within the device and analyzed for biomarkers using integrated biosensors. This system facilitates the analysis of sweat biomarkers without the cumbersome need for hospital visits, reduces the risk of biomarker contamination during testing, and enhances the accuracy of the results. The device was tested on infants diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, measuring the chloride concentration in their sweat. The findings matched the accuracy of traditional sweat analysis methods used in hospitals, achieving over 98% accuracy.

Moreover, the stability of the device on the skin was verified by monitoring skin temperature and pH levels. Given that cystic fibrosis primarily manifests during infancy, continuous monitoring of disease progression and the infant's physical condition is crucial. This device enables easy monitoring at home, significantly reducing the psychological and physical burden on young patients and their caregivers. Beyond its immediate application, this device represents a significant advance in the field of non-invasive disease monitoring technology using sweat, applicable not only to infants but also to healthy adults. Additionally, the technology used for drug delivery through the skin could potentially enhance the effectiveness of localized drug treatments for skin conditions or wounds, thus speeding up the healing process.

"Through two years of collaborative research with Northwestern University, we have not only addressed the limitations of existing methods for inducing sweat but also achieved success in clinical research, bringing us one step closer to commercialization," said Dr. Kim Joohee from KIST.

Related Links:
KIST
Northwestern University

Gold Member
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Sample-To-Answer Test
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Cartridge (CE-IVD)
Gold Member
POC Blood Gas Analyzer
Stat Profile Prime Plus
New
Electric Cast Saw
CC4 System
New
LED Surgical Light
Convelar 1670 LED+/1675 LED+/1677 LED+

Print article

Channels

Surgical Techniques

view channel
Image: (Left) An image of a 3D-printed material implanted in vivo for 4 weeks. (Right) A photo of coral (Photo courtesy of Dr Zhidao Xia and Jesus Cobaleda)

Revolutionary Coral-Inspired Material for Bone Repair Promotes Faster Healing

Bone defects caused by fractures, tumors, and non-healing injuries are major contributors to disability worldwide. Traditionally, doctors have used either a patient’s own bone (autograft) or donor bone... Read more

Patient Care

view channel
Image: The portable biosensor platform uses printed electrochemical sensors for the rapid, selective detection of Staphylococcus aureus (Photo courtesy of AIMPLAS)

Portable Biosensor Platform to Reduce Hospital-Acquired Infections

Approximately 4 million patients in the European Union acquire healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) or nosocomial infections each year, with around 37,000 deaths directly resulting from these infections,... Read more

Health IT

view channel
Image: First ever institution-specific model provides significant performance advantage over current population-derived models (Photo courtesy of Mount Sinai)

Machine Learning Model Improves Mortality Risk Prediction for Cardiac Surgery Patients

Machine learning algorithms have been deployed to create predictive models in various medical fields, with some demonstrating improved outcomes compared to their standard-of-care counterparts.... Read more

Point of Care

view channel
Image: The acoustic pipette uses sound waves to test for biomarkers in blood (Photo courtesy of Patrick Campbell/CU Boulder)

Handheld, Sound-Based Diagnostic System Delivers Bedside Blood Test Results in An Hour

Patients who go to a doctor for a blood test often have to contend with a needle and syringe, followed by a long wait—sometimes hours or even days—for lab results. Scientists have been working hard to... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.