A flexible and multimodal biosensing patch integrated with microfluidics for chronic wound monitoring

Abstract

A wearable biosensing patch for the monitoring of physiochemical parameters related to chronic wounds presents a promising approach to personalized wound management. Despite considerable advances in multimodal biosensing patches for wound care, fully integrated patches with microfluidic channels to monitor multiple parameters simultaneously are still a challenge. Herein, a flexible multimodal biosensing patch integrated with microfluidic channels is newly proposed. The patch comprises a polar array of seven biosensors fabricated on a flexible polyethylene terephthalate substrate. An SU-8-based microfluidic channel with arrowhead micropatterns is formed directly on the sensor via the lithography process. The integration of the microfluidic channels results in a fluid collection efficiency that is increased 6.5 times higher owing to the fluidic diode effect of the micropattern. The sensing platform is functionalized with a gold nanowire-incorporated reduced graphene oxide composite to fabricate an electrochemical biosensor array. This array is used in detecting three metabolites (glucose, lactate, and uric acid), two ions (Na+ and K+), pH, and temperature. The sensor responses are calibrated using a pH- and temperature-compensation algorithm to accurately quantify the analyte concentration and evaluate multi-sensing capability in the rat wound model. Its unique design and multiplexed sensing capacities offer significant advancements in nonhealing wound monitoring.