This process can be uncomfortable, especially for individuals with a fear of needles
A new microneedle patch that can detect biomarkers may be the solution
Drawing blood is a convenient way for medical practitioners to get a glimpse of what is happening inside our bodies. It allows doctors to check for biomarkers of disease, such as antibodies, which indicate bacterial and viral infection.
While this is a vital practice, drawing blood can be painful, especially for those who suffer from trypanophobia (an extreme fear of medical procedures involving needles).
Fortunately, these biomarkers do not only appear in blood, but also in what is known as interstitial fluid (ISF) – fluid found in spaces between cells. It was, however, quite difficult to detect interstitial protein biomarkers, until now.
Novel Microneedle Patch on the Skin Can Test for Biomarkers
A team at the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a microneedle patch that can be applied to the skin, capture a biomarker of interest from interstitial fluid and, thanks to its unprecedented sensitivity, allow clinicians to detect its presence. [Sisi Cao]
January 26, 2021
A team at the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a microneedle patch that can be applied to the skin, capture a biomarker of interest from interstitial fluid and, thanks to its unprecedented sensitivity, allow clinicians to detect its presence. [Sisi Cao]
January 22, 2021 SHARE
Engineers at the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a microneedle patch that can be applied to the skin, capture a biomarker of interest from interstitial fluid and, thanks to its unprecedented sensitivity, allow clinicians to detect its presence.(Image: Sisi Cao)
Blood draws are no fun.
They hurt. Veins can burst, or even roll like they’re trying to avoid the needle, too.
Oftentimes, doctors use blood samples to check for biomarkers of disease: antibodies that signal a viral or bacterial infection, such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, or cytokines indicative of inflammation seen in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and sepsis.
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IMAGE: Engineers at the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a microneedle patch that can be applied to the skin, capture a biomarker of interest. view more
Credit: Image: Sisi Cao
Blood draws are no fun.
They hurt. Veins can burst, or even roll like they re trying to avoid the needle, too.
Oftentimes, doctors use blood samples to check for biomarkers of disease: antibodies that signal a viral or bacterial infection, such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19; or cytokines indicative of inflammation seen in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and sepsis.
Date Time
No more needles?
Engineers at the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a microneedle patch that can be applied to the skin, capture a biomarker of interest from interstitial fluid and, thanks to its unprecedented sensitivity, allow clinicians to detect its presence.(Image: Sisi Cao)
Blood draws are no fun.
They hurt. Veins can burst, or even roll – like they’re trying to avoid the needle, too.
Oftentimes, doctors use blood samples to check for biomarkers of disease: antibodies that signal a viral or bacterial infection, such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, or cytokines indicative of inflammation seen in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and sepsis.