Microneedle Device Prototype

Real-time monitoring of an individual's physiological state without the constant presence of a healthcare professional would necessitate the construction of an autonomous remote diagnostic device that is capable of performing a wide range of diagnostic functions. For many applications, the immediate physiological state of a warfighter as he or she is continually exposed to diverse environments would require complex dynamic chemical processing scenarios that are capable of real-time readouts in order to maintain optimal health and effectiveness. The results presented here are an important proof-of-concept study to demonstrate how microneedles can be integrated with a microchip platform, complete with fluidic channels and electrode transducers, to extract interstitial fluid and monitor biologically important biomolecules toward a long-term remote diagnostic platform for defense of the warfighter. The project, part of a Defense Threat Reduction Agency research program, results consist of: (1) microneedle fabrication, (2) electrode array fabrication, (3) optimization of the electrode array for construction of an immunoassay for detection of myoglobin and troponin, and (4) integration of microneedles and the electrode array in a packaged chip.