Sandia National Laboratories has announced the development of a wearable sensor patch that can continuously monitor the levels of antibiotics effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The primary antibiotic of interest is vancomycin, which is crucial in treating severe bacterial infections.
The wearable sensor patch integrates painless microneedles and nanoscale sensors. It was designed by Sandia technologists Bryan Weaver and Haley Bennett and accommodates multiple microneedles coated with DNA-based aptamer sensors. These sensors change shape upon binding with vancomycin, altering the electric current. This innovation holds the potential for enhancing antibiotic therapy effectiveness and reducing the development of antibiotic resistance.
Sandia National Laboratories postdoctoral fellow Alex Downs highlighted the significance of the wearable sensor patch. He said, "This system could be used really anywhere where you're having large chemical changes in the body, where you want to measure those changes over time to better understand what's happening in the body."
The team at Sandia National Laboratories tested the performance of the microneedle sensors. They successfully detected vancomycin in a saline solution simulating bodily conditions. They also assessed the entire system, including reference and counter electrodes, in undiluted cow blood, achieving accurate detection of vancomycin.
To ensure the functionality of the microneedles and aptamers after skin insertion, the researchers repeatedly inserted the patch into pig skin. They monitored its electronic signal within the skin and confirmed its capability to detect vancomycin.
Following the successful validation of the sensor patch system, the next phase involves collaborating with another research team to conduct trials in either human subjects or other animal models. This collaboration aims to further test the effectiveness and reliability of the wearable sensor patch.
Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern in healthcare. The ability to continuously monitor antibiotic levels through a wearable sensor patch could revolutionize antibiotic therapy and improve patient outcomes. By providing real-time data on antibiotic levels, healthcare providers can make more informed decisions regarding dosing and treatment adjustments.
Sandia National Laboratories' development of this wearable sensor patch brings us one step closer to a more proactive approach in combating antibiotic resistance and ensuring the effectiveness of antibiotics in treating bacterial infections.
