In-Vitro Porcine Model for Detection of Transdermal Glucose Utilizing Microneedles and a Fiber Optic Biosensor

Abstract

Glucose monitoring is important for proper diagnosis, preventative care, and treatment at the POC. Current technology requires painful blood draws that can increase the risk of infection, especially in young neonates and children. Previously, we developed a noninvasive glucose sensing technology to measure glucose diffusing through the skin, successfully monitoring blood glucose in adults through transdermal glucose measurements. Fluorescent GBP immobilized at the tip of a fiber optic can detect µM glucose passively diffusing through a pig skin model for neonatal skin. Here, we present a minimally invasive glucose biosensor that uses microneedles (MN) to improve and increase transdermal glucose diffusion, as well as to reduce the time for glucose sampling. The biosensor consist of a fluorescent GBP immobilized at the end of a fiber optic fluorometer for minimally invasive point of care (POC) glucose monitoring.