Researchers at Washington State University have created a wearable health monitor that is capable of accurately measuring the amounts of key biochemicals in sweat during physical activity.
One day, the 3D-printed monitor might offer a straightforward and non-invasive method of monitoring health issues and diagnosing common illnesses like diabetes, gout, renal disease, or heart disease.
The researchers were able to precisely track the participants’ blood sugar, lactate, and uric acid levels as well as the rate at which they perspired while exercising, and they reported their findings in the journal ACS Sensors.
“Diabetes is a major problem worldwide,” stated the paper’s first author, Chuchu Chen, a Ph.D. candidate at WSU. “I think 3D printing can make a difference to the healthcare field, and I wanted to see if we could combine 3D printing with disease detection methods to create a device like this.”
The researchers created a novel, one-step manufacturing procedure for their proof-of-concept health monitor by using 3D printing. To quantify the low amounts of the biomarkers and improve the signal, the researchers employed enzymatic processes and a single-atom catalyst. The monitor’s three biosensors each change color to represent a different biochemical state.
Sweat is non-invasive, unlike blood sampling, yet it includes a variety of significant metabolites that can reveal medical issues. Sweat uric acid levels can be used to predict the development of gout, renal disease, or cardiac disease. Diabetes is tracked using glucose levels, and the degree of activity can be determined by lactate levels.
Sweat is non-invasive, unlike blood sampling, yet it includes a variety of significant metabolites that can reveal medical issues. Sweat uric acid levels can be used to predict the development of gout, renal disease, or cardiac disease. Diabetes is tracked using glucose levels, and the degree of activity can be determined by lactate levels.
According to Kaiyan Qiu, a Berry Assistant Professor in the WSU School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, “sweat rate is also an important parameter and physiological indicator for people’s health.”
Sweat is non-invasive, unlike blood sampling, yet it includes a variety of significant metabolites that can reveal medical issues. Sweat uric acid levels can be used to predict the development of gout, renal disease, or cardiac disease. Diabetes is tracked using glucose levels, and the degree of activity can be determined by lactate levels.
According to Kaiyan Qiu, a Berry Assistant Professor in the WSU School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, “sweat rate is also an important parameter and physiological indicator for people’s health.”
However, the researchers pointed out that the concentration of these substances in sweat is very low and can be challenging to quantify. Although various sweat sensors have been produced, their creation requires specialized tools and knowledge. Additionally, the sensors must be elastic and flexible.
According to Annie Du, a research professor in WSU’s School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, “it’s novel to use single-atom catalysts to enhance the sensitivity and accuracy of the health monitor.” The study was led by Qiu and Du.
The small tubes in the health monitor the researchers created analyze the levels of biomarkers and perspiration rate. The micro-channels don’t need any supporting structure because they are being created via 3D printing, which could lead to contamination issues when they are removed, according to Qiu.
“We need to measure the tiny concentrations of biomarkers, so we don’t want these supporting materials to be present or to have to remove them,” he stated. “That’s why we’re using a unique method to print the self-supporting microfluidic channels.”
The researchers discovered that their monitor was precisely and consistently measuring the chemical content as well as the rate of perspiration when they compared the monitors on the participants’ arms to the lab results.
Although the first set of biomarkers to be measured consisted of three, the researchers are able to add additional and personalize the biomarkers. Additionally, volunteers found the monitors to be comfortable to wear.
Currently, the researchers are trying to enhance the device’s validation and design even more. Additionally, they want to sell the technology. Additionally, a provisional patent application has been filed by the WSU Office of Commercialization to safeguard the technology’s intellectual property.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Science Foundation, and startup funds all provided funding for the project.
Reference – Sweat health monitor measures levels of disease markers