Singaporean researchers have developed a novel diagnostic tool that potentially eliminates the need for collecting biofluid samples, enabling the detection of medical conditions such as strokes at an earlier stage.
The novel wearable device, as documented in a recent report, employs stretchable hydrogel-based technology to monitor consumers’ biomarkers – distinct chemical compounds found in blood and other bodily fluids, including LDL cholesterol and lactate levels – directly on the skin. Led by researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS), in collaboration with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research’s (A*STAR) Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE).
The wearable device offers a non-invasive solution for continuous, real-time tracking and early identification of various health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases and stroke. The revised text is: This addresses the constraints of existing strategies for collecting biofluid samples, including blood, urine, and sweat.
The wearable device tracks athletes’ lactate levels to identify warning signs of fatigue and oxygen deprivation, thereby impacting their performance efficiency.
Early detection of illnesses relies on the swift, consistent, and precise tracking of crucial biomarkers, researchers emphasized. “This improvement holds particular significance for applications in persistent illness management, population-wide screening, remote patient monitoring, and sports physiology.”
The conventional approach to collecting biomarkers for assessment may prove impractical and overlook essential real-time characteristics. Individuals with fluid accumulation may need to undergo medication-assisted diaphoresis, a process that induces sweating, which can be an unpleasant experience for those involved.
Striking advancements in epidermal biomarkers are transforming traditional wellbeing indicators into robust state-based measures. Found in the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of human skin, these biomarkers have been shown to exhibit significant correlations with a range of diseases, including diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disorders.
Although advanced detection methods are needed, conventional devices struggle to identify solid-state epidermal biomarkers due to their absence of essential tracing components.
Singapore researchers claim that their wearable device enables biomarkers to dissolve, diffuse, and facilitate electrochemical reactions between its ionic conductive hydrogel layer and an electronically conductive counterpart.
The necessary physiological data is transmitted wirelessly to an external user interface via a robust and adaptable printed circuit board, enabling continuous and reliable monitoring.
Researchers investigating medical applications discovered a significant correlation between biomarkers found on skin pores and those detected in blood samples, substantiating the sensor’s reliability, according to their findings. It can also detect solid-state lactate and LDL cholesterol at remarkably low concentrations.
According to Yang Le, principal scientist and head of A*STAR’s IMRE’s sensors and flexible electronics division, “We’ve developed the world’s first wearable sensor that can track biomarkers on dry or non-sweaty skin.” The novel sensor’s bilayer hydrogel electrode exhibits a remarkable ability to engage with biomarkers on the skin’s surface, thereby enabling the development of a cutting-edge category of health monitoring tools. The adaptable design optimizes comfort and precision, seamlessly conforming to the natural elasticity of our skin.
Yang noted that the wearable has the potential to profoundly impact wellbeing and lifestyle monitoring, particularly for individuals living with chronic conditions that necessitate constant surveillance.
For instance, it will probably doubtlessly change common finger-prick exams for diabetics, stated Liu Yuxin, an assistant professor from NUS’ Institute for Well being Innovation & Expertise and N.1 Institute for Well being. The non-invasive method could also be used in glucose tolerance tests, thereby eliminating the need for multiple blood draws from expectant mothers.
Singapore researchers aim to enhance the wearable’s performance by improving its sensitivity, reducing processing time, and expanding support for various biomarkers.
The company is collaborating with hospitals to provide additional medical validation and enable users to trial the technology, particularly for continuous glucose monitoring.
Researchers at NUS in 2021 created a pioneering innovation: a smart bandage capable of detecting vital signs related to chronic wounds, such as temperature and bacterial type, and transmitting this critical information wirelessly. Capable of processing and transmitting information within a quarter-hour, the wearable sensor accelerates the assessment of wounds, enabling timely treatment.
In 2021, another research team from a Singaporean university advanced a novel approach to developing and energy-efficient wearable devices. Harnessing the power of a single system, similar to a compact cell phone in a user’s pocket, the technology enables wireless recharging of multiple wearables placed strategically across the body. The device could also harness unused power from digital home appliances and office equipment to fuel wearable devices.
