Major of Human Biocovergence, Division of Smart Healthcare, College of Information Technology and Convergence, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, Republic of Korea.
Department of Pediatrics, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea.
Biosens Bioelectron. 2022 Aug 15;210:114329. doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114329. Epub 2022 Apr 26.
Monitoring electrolytes is critical for newborns and babies in the intensive care unit. However, the gold standard methods use a blood draw, which is painful and only offers discrete measures. Although salivary-based detection offers promise as an alternative, existing devices are ineffective for real-time, continuous monitoring of electrolytes due to their rigidity, bulky form factors, and lack of salivary accumulation. Here, we introduce a smart, wireless, bioelectronic pacifier for salivary electrolyte monitoring of neonates, which can detect real-time continuous sodium and potassium levels without a blood draw. The miniature system facilitates the seamless integration of the ultralight and low-profile device with a commercial pacifier without additional fixtures or structural modifications. The portable device includes ion-selective sensors, flexible circuits, and microfluidic channels, allowing simplified measurement protocols in non-invasive electrolyte monitoring. The flexible microfluidic channel enables continuous and efficient saliva collection from a mouth. By modifying the surface properties of the channels and the structure of the capillary reservoir, we achieve reliable pumping of the viscous medium for quick calibration and measurement. Embedded sensors in the system show good stability and sensitivity: 52 and 57 mV/decade for the sodium and potassium sensor, respectively. In vivo study with neonates in the intensive care unit captures the device's feasibility and performance in the natural saliva-based detection of the critical electrolytes without induced stimulation.
监测电解质对于新生儿和重症监护病房中的婴儿至关重要。然而，金标准方法是通过抽血进行检测，这既痛苦又只能提供离散的测量结果。尽管基于唾液的检测作为替代方法具有前景，但现有的设备由于其刚性、体积庞大的外形因素以及缺乏唾液积聚，无法实现电解质的实时、连续监测。在这里，我们介绍了一种用于新生儿唾液电解质监测的智能、无线、生物电子奶嘴，它可以在不抽血的情况下实时连续检测钠和钾水平。微型系统便于将超轻、低轮廓的装置与商业奶嘴无缝集成，无需额外的固定装置或结构修改。该便携式设备包括离子选择性传感器、柔性电路和微流道，允许在非侵入性电解质监测中简化简化测量协议。柔性微流道可实现从口腔中连续、高效地采集唾液。通过改变通道的表面特性和毛细储液器的结构，我们实现了粘性介质的可靠泵送，以实现快速校准和测量。系统中的嵌入式传感器显示出良好的稳定性和灵敏度：钠离子和钾离子传感器的灵敏度分别为 52 和 57 mV/decade。在重症监护病房中的新生儿体内研究证实了该设备在自然唾液检测关键电解质方面的可行性和性能，无需诱导刺激。
