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Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a sticker that can measure chloride levels in sweat in real time with a simple color change. The sticker is applied to the skin and wicks sweat away inside itself through a set of microfluidic channels, where a built-in bioassay measures levels of chloride, a marker for cystic fibrosis. The technology could end up simplifying the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis in newborns.
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease caused by a defective chloride channel in the epithelial cells. This usually results in very thick mucus in the airways, leading to serious breathing problems and infections, and it can also affect the digestive system. Early diagnosis is important, as patients can become malnourished if they do not receive proper treatment soon after birth.
Currently, the diagnosis involves a heel prick test, and if this reveals an abnormality, clinicians place a bulky “sweat-catching” bracelet around the child’s wrist, to perform laboratory analysis of the levels. sweat chloride. In theory, the device should be able to collect enough sweat for analysis in about 30 minutes, but it often cannot.
“Some parents bring their babies for a test and are sent home without a confirmed result because the device was unable to collect enough sweat,” Susanna McColley, researcher involved in the study, said via a press release. . “They go home, not knowing whether their baby has serious illness or not, and their baby cannot start treatment yet. It can be scary.
To solve this problem, these researchers developed a sticker that can automatically collect and analyze sweat for chloride levels, producing a noticeable color change. Parents can take a photo of the skin sticker once a color change occurs and send the image to a clinician for analysis. A lab is cut from the image, allowing for a much easier diagnostic process.
“The device uses an array of microfluidic channels to collect sweat directly from the skin and route it to chambers to react with chemical reagents,” said Tyler Ray, another researcher involved in the project. “These reagents cause a color change that matches the level of chloride concentration. By collecting and analyzing sweat at the point of collection, we can enable earlier diagnosis. This is essential for preventing serious complications and improving long term patient outcomes. “
Interestingly, the technology may also be useful for cystic fibrosis patients who want to monitor their condition or see if therapy is helping them. “Because this device is not attached, we plan to use it beyond clinical environments,” said Roozbeh Ghaffari, another researcher who worked on the study. “In light of these new capabilities and further clinical validation, cystic fibrosis patients receiving treatment may one day use the sticker on sweat at home to track their symptoms and hydration level during everyday.”
Watch this Northwestern video on the new technology:
Study in Scientific translational medicine: Gentle skin-interface sweat-wicking stickers for the diagnosis and management of cystic fibrosis
Via: Northwestern University
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