In the USA, they learned to take tests with a patch
Scientists from the United States have found an alternative to the painful procedure of taking blood from a vein. They have developed a microneedle patch that sticks to the skin and captures the desired biomarker, Medical Xpress reports .
The authors of the novelty are representatives of the McKelvey School of Engineering at the University of Washington in St. Louis. They noted that their invention has many advantages: it does not give the patient unpleasant sensations, it is convenient to use and does not require large financial costs.
The microneedles penetrate the skin to a depth of 400 microns and do not touch the sensory nerves. Therefore, a person does not have a feeling of pain.
Blood tests are known to help identify disease biomarkers: antibodies indicating a viral or bacterial infection, or cytokines indicating an inflammatory process. They are found not only in the blood, but also in the fluid that surrounds our cells, but in much smaller quantities.
The patch created by scientists is highly sensitive. Research has shown that it is capable of detecting biomarkers in cell fluid using fluorescence.
The authors of the development noted that such a patch will be useful in creating vaccines, for quick diagnosis and for monitoring the condition of people with chronic diseases.
Earlier it was reported that Russian scientists have created wound-healing nanofibers. They are anti-inflammatory.
