Synthesis-free swellable hydrogel microneedles for rapid interstitial fluid extraction and on-site glucose detection via an electrochemical biosensor system

Article

Saifullah, Khaled Mohammed, Azarikhah, Pouria and Faraji Rad, Zahra Faraji. 2025. "Synthesis-free swellable hydrogel microneedles for rapid interstitial fluid extraction and on-site glucose detection via an electrochemical biosensor system." Materials Today Chemistry. 45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtchem.2025.102661
Article Title

Synthesis-free swellable hydrogel microneedles for rapid interstitial fluid extraction and on-site glucose detection via an electrochemical biosensor system

ERA Journal ID211077
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsSaifullah, Khaled Mohammed, Azarikhah, Pouria and Faraji Rad, Zahra Faraji
Journal TitleMaterials Today Chemistry
Journal Citation45
Article Number102661
Number of Pages17
Year2025
PublisherElsevier
ISSN2468-5194
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtchem.2025.102661
Web Address (URL)https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S246851942500151X
AbstractCurrent methods to detect biomarkers often involve lengthy turnaround times due to the need for blood extraction and subsequent laboratory analysis. Microneedles (MNs) offer a minimally invasive solution to access the interstitial fluid (ISF); however, they are limited by challenges such as hazardous material synthesis, insertion techniques, small ISF volumes (2–5 μL), and lengthy extraction time. This study presents a novel swellable MN patch combined with a biosensing platform to enable on-site glucose detection through an optimized applicator-assisted insertion method. The highly efficient MN patch extracts up to 7.06 ± 0.44 μL of ISF in 5 min without the typical post-processing instruments such as vacuum or suction. The extracted ISF is applied to the modified electrodes, which detect the target biomarker (glucose) with high sensitivity (9.68 μA mM −1 cm −2) and a low detection limit (0.08 mM) under optimized conditions. In addition to effectively recovering glucose molecules, the MN patch demonstrates enhanced efficiency and penetration depth, with a critical correlation established between the volume of extracted ISF and the glucose recovery rate, as validated through comprehensive in-vitro and ex-vivo tests. This MN-based biosensing approach could offer a viable alternative to traditional blood tests, glucometers, finger-prick methods, or continuous monitoring devices.
KeywordsBiomarker detection; ISF; Swellable microneedles; Skin applicator; Electrochemical biosensor; Glucose detection
Related Output
Is part ofMicroneedle-based biosensor for rapid interstitial fluid extraction and on-site glucose detection
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020400302. Biomaterials
Public Notes

This article is part of a UniSQ Thesis by publication. See Related Output.

Byline AffiliationsSchool of Engineering
Centre for Future Materials
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/zx199/synthesis-free-swellable-hydrogel-microneedles-for-rapid-interstitial-fluid-extraction-and-on-site-glucose-detection-via-an-electrochemical-biosensor-system

Log in to edit

Download files

Published Version
1-s2.0-S246851942500151X-main.pdf
License: CC BY 4.0
File access level: Anyone

  • 46
    total views
  • 25
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 1
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

A Critical Review of Advances and Challenges in Microinjection Moulding of Polymeric Microneedles
Azarikhah, Pouria, Mushtaq, Asim, Saifullah, Khaled Mohammed, Prewett, Philip D., Davies, Graham J. and Faraji Rad, Zahra. 2025. "A Critical Review of Advances and Challenges in Microinjection Moulding of Polymeric Microneedles." Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology. 114 (Part A). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2025.107435
Age-Dependent Finite Element Analysis of Microneedle Penetration into Human Skin: Influence of Insertion Velocity, and Microneedle's Geometry and Material
Azarikhah, Pouria, Saifullah, Khaled Mohammed and Faraji Rad, Zahra. 2025. "Age-Dependent Finite Element Analysis of Microneedle Penetration into Human Skin: Influence of Insertion Velocity, and Microneedle's Geometry and Material." Macromolecular Materials and Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1002/mame.202500123
Microneedle-based biosensor for rapid interstitial fluid extraction and on-site glucose detection
Saifullah, Khaled Mohammed. 2025. Microneedle-based biosensor for rapid interstitial fluid extraction and on-site glucose detection. PhD by Publication Doctor of Philosophy. University of Southern Queensland. https://doi.org/10.26192/zyw11
Micro-vibration assisted dual-layer spiral microneedles to rapidly extract dermal interstitial fluid for minimally invasive detection of glucose
Saifullah, Khaled Mohammed, Mushtaq, Asim, Azarikhah, Pouria, Prewett, Philip D., Davies, Graham J. and Faraji Rad, Zahra. 2025. "Micro-vibration assisted dual-layer spiral microneedles to rapidly extract dermal interstitial fluid for minimally invasive detection of glucose." Microsystems and Nanoengineering. 11 (1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41378-024-00850-x
Mechanics of dissolving microneedles insertion into the skin: Finite element and experimental analyses
Babapour, Fatemeh, Faraji Rad, Zahra and Ganji, Fariba. 2024. "Mechanics of dissolving microneedles insertion into the skin: Finite element and experimental analyses." Journal of Applied Polymer Science. 141 (38). https://doi.org/10.1002/app.55973
The advantages of microneedle patches compared to conventional needle-based drug delivery and biopsy devices in medicine
Reinke, Alissa, Whiteside, Eliza J, Windus, Louisa, Desai, Devang, Stehr, Emma and Faraji Rad, Zahra. 2024. "The advantages of microneedle patches compared to conventional needle-based drug delivery and biopsy devices in medicine." Biomedical Engineering Advances. 8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bea.2024.100127
Influence of Low-Frequency Vibration and Skin Strain on Insertion Mechanics and Drug Diffusion of PVA/PVP Dissolving Microneedles
Ebrahiminejad, Vahid, Malek-Khatabi, Atefeh and Faraji Rad, Zahra. 2024. "Influence of Low-Frequency Vibration and Skin Strain on Insertion Mechanics and Drug Diffusion of PVA/PVP Dissolving Microneedles." Advanced Materials Technologies. 9 (4). https://doi.org/10.1002/admt.202301272
Botulinum toxin A dissolving microneedles for hyperhidrosis treatment: design, formulation and in vivo evaluation
Malek-Khatabi, Atefeh, Rad-Malekshahi, Mazda, Shafiei, Morvarid, Sharifi, Fatemeh, Motasadizadeh, Hamidreza, Ebrahiminejad, Vahid, Rad-Malekshahi, Mazdak, Akbarijavar, Hamid and Faraji Rad, Zahra. 2023. "Botulinum toxin A dissolving microneedles for hyperhidrosis treatment: design, formulation and in vivo evaluation." Biomaterials Science. 11 (24), pp. 7784-7804. https://doi.org/10.1039/d3bm01301d
The role of microneedles in the healing of chronic wounds
Ghiyasi, Yasaman, Prewett, Philip D, Davies, Graham J and Faraji Rad, Zahra. 2023. "The role of microneedles in the healing of chronic wounds." International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123087
Recent progress in PLGA-based microneedle-mediated transdermal drug and vaccine delivery
Malek-Khatabi, A., Razavi, M.S., Abdollahi, A., Rahimzadeghan, M., Moammeri, F., Sheikhi, M., Tavakoli, M., Rad-Malekshahi, M. and Faraji Rad, Z.. 2023. "Recent progress in PLGA-based microneedle-mediated transdermal drug and vaccine delivery." Biomaterials Science. 11 (16), pp. 5390-5409. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3BM00795B
Microneedle patches – the future of drug delivery and vaccination?
Faraji Rad, Zahra, Prewett, Philip D. and Davies, Davies. 2023. "Microneedle patches – the future of drug delivery and vaccination?" Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology. 14, pp. 494-495. https://doi.org/10.3762/bjnano.14.40
Sampling Dermal Interstitial Fluid Using Microneedles: A Review of Recent Developments in Sampling Methods and Microneedle-Based Biosensors
Saifullah, Khaled Mohammed and Faraji Rad, Zahra. 2023. "Sampling Dermal Interstitial Fluid Using Microneedles: A Review of Recent Developments in Sampling Methods and Microneedle-Based Biosensors." Advanced Materials Interfaces. 10 (10). https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202201763
Bioinspired Strong, Tough, and Biodegradable Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) and its Applications as Substrates for Humidity Sensors
Liu, Lei, Xu, Xiaodong, Zhu, Menghe, Cui, Xihua, Feng, Jiabing, Faraji Rad, Zahra, Wang, Hao and Song, Pingan. 2023. "Bioinspired Strong, Tough, and Biodegradable Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) and its Applications as Substrates for Humidity Sensors." Advanced Materials Technologies. https://doi.org/10.1002/admt.202201414
Development of dissolvable microneedle patches by CNC machining and micromolding for drug delivery
Malek-Khatabi, Atefeh, Faraji Rad, Zahra, Rad-Malekshahi, Mazda and Akbarijavar, Hamid. 2023. "Development of dissolvable microneedle patches by CNC machining and micromolding for drug delivery." Materials Letters. 330, pp. 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2022.133328
Microneedle Technologies for Food and Crop Health: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives
Faraji Rad, Zahra. 2023. "Microneedle Technologies for Food and Crop Health: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives." Advanced Engineering Materials. 25 (4). https://doi.org/10.1002/adem.202201194
Fabrication and testing of polymer microneedles for transdermal drug delivery
Ebrahiminejad, Vahid, Faraji Rad, Zahra, Prewett, Philip D. and Davies, Graham J.. 2022. "Fabrication and testing of polymer microneedles for transdermal drug delivery." Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology. 13, pp. 629-640. https://doi.org/10.3762/bjnano.13.55
Design, Development, and Testing of Polymeric Microblades: A Novel Design of Microneedles for Biomedical Applications
Ebrahiminejad, Vahid and Faraji Rad, Zahra. 2022. "Design, Development, and Testing of Polymeric Microblades: A Novel Design of Microneedles for Biomedical Applications." Advanced Materials Interfaces. 9 (29). https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202201115
Microneedle Arrays for Drug Delivery and Diagnostics: Toward an Optimized Design, Reliable Insertion, and Penetration
Ebrahiminejad, Vahid, Prewett, Philip D., Davies, Graham J. and Faraji Rad, Zahra. 2022. "Microneedle Arrays for Drug Delivery and Diagnostics: Toward an Optimized Design, Reliable Insertion, and Penetration." Advanced Materials Interfaces. 9 (6), pp. 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202101856
Parametric optimization of two-photon direct laser writing process for manufacturing polymeric microneedles
Faraji Rad, Zahra, Prewett, Philip D. and Davies, Graham J.. 2022. "Parametric optimization of two-photon direct laser writing process for manufacturing polymeric microneedles." Additive Manufacturing. 56, pp. 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2022.102953
Rapid prototyping and customizable microneedle design: Ultra-sharp microneedle fabrication using two-photon polymerization and low-cost micromolding techniques
Faraji Rad, Zahra, Prewett, Philip and Davies, Graham. 2021. "Rapid prototyping and customizable microneedle design: Ultra-sharp microneedle fabrication using two-photon polymerization and low-cost micromolding techniques." Manufacturing Letters. 30, pp. 39-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mfglet.2021.10.007
High-resolution two-photon polymerization: the most versatile technique for the fabrication of microneedle arrays
Faraji Rad, Zahra, Prewett, Philip and Davies, Graham. 2021. "High-resolution two-photon polymerization: the most versatile technique for the fabrication of microneedle arrays." Microsystems and Nanoengineering. 7 (1), pp. 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41378-021-00298-3
An overview of microneedle applications, materials, and fabrication methods
Faraji Rad, Zahra, Prewett, Philip and Davies, Graham. 2021. "An overview of microneedle applications, materials, and fabrication methods." Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology. 12, pp. 1034-1046. https://doi.org/10.3762/bjnano.12.77
High-fidelity replication of thermoplastic microneedles with open microfluidic channels
Faraji Rad, Zahra, Nordon, Robert E., Anthony, Carl J., Bilston, Lynne, Prewett, Philip D., Arns, Ji-Youn, Arns, Christoph H., Zhang, Liangchi and Davies, Graham J.. 2017. "High-fidelity replication of thermoplastic microneedles with open microfluidic channels." Microsystems and Nanoengineering. 3, pp. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1038/micronano.2017.34
Carbon-based nanostructures for cancer therapy and drug delivery applications
Bagheri, Babak, Surwase, Sachin S., Lee, Su Sam, Park, Heewon, Faraji Rad, Zahra, Trevaskis, Natalie L. and Kim, Yeu-Chun. 2022. "Carbon-based nanostructures for cancer therapy and drug delivery applications." Journal of Materials Chemistry B. 10 (48), pp. 9944-9967. https://doi.org/10.1039/d2tb01741e
A roof cavability classification system and its use for estimation of main caving interval in longwall mining
Mohammadi, Sodjad, Ataei, Mohammad, Kakaie, Reza, Mirzaghorbanali, Ali, Faraji Rad, Zahra and Aziz, Naj. 2020. "A roof cavability classification system and its use for estimation of main caving interval in longwall mining." Aziz, Naj and Kininmonth, Bob (ed.) 2020 Coal Operators' Conference. Wollongong, Australia 18 - 20 Feb 2019 Wollongong, Australia.
Microfluidic devices and fabrication
Faraji Rad, Zahra, Nordon, Robert, Davies, Graham, Anthony, Carl john and Prewett, Philip. 2020. Microfluidic devices and fabrication. 10850082