Work

An integrated kirigami-patterned skin patch for multiplexed detection of inflammatory biomarkers along with transdermal drug delivery

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Detecting, monitoring, and managing chronic pain levels in real-time remains a critical and challenging aspect of medical practice. Chronic pain is associated with an increased production of inflammatory biomarkers, such as Interleukin-6 and Interleukin-10. Accurately detecting the levels of these biomarkers with a highly sensitive sensor can facilitate real-time monitoring of pain severity and enable the administration of appropriate medication based on the patient's needs. In this context, transdermal drug delivery offers a significant advantage in pain management by delivering targeted opioids, such as Fentanyl, to alleviate chronic pain in a non-invasive and long-term manner. This work presents a kirigami-patterned skin patch that combines multiplexed sensors with a drug delivery module to detect inflammatory biomarker levels in sweat with high sensitivity and precision, while also enabling on-demand drug delivery for pain relief. By correcting response variations caused by changes in body temperature and sweat pH, the device ensures accurate sensing while maintaining strain-insensitive performance—an essential feature for wearable sensors. This system has the potential to significantly impact healthcare by providing an innovative, reliable solution for chronic pain management. • Strain-insensitive kirigami design that provides stable biomarker readings under flexion, extension, and torsion movements. • Sweat collection with a microfluidic channel and analysis with biosensors on a single patch. • Multiplexed and real-time monitoring of inflammatory biomarkers with pH and temperature correction on a single substrate. • Electrically controlled on-demand transdermal delivery of Fentanyl opioid targeted to chronic pain relief and management. • IoT integrated closed-loop system for biomarkers detection and on-demand drug delivery.

Source: Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.sbsr.2025.100772

Authors: Tanzila Noushin, Nafize Ishtiaque Hossain, Rhythem Tahrin, Md Najmul Islam, Shawana Tabassum

Institutions: Baylor University, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tufts University

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,850