Smart bioelectronic pacifier for real-time continuous monitoring of salivary electrolytes

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Authors
Lim, Hyo-ryoung
Lee, Soon-min
Park, Sehyun
Choi, Chanyeong
Kim, Hojoong
Kim, Jihoon
Mahmood, Musa
Lee, Yongkuk
Kim, Jong-Hoon
Yeo, Woon-Hong
Advisors
Issue Date
2022-05-16
Type
Article
Keywords
Non-invasive monitoring , Salivary electrolyte , Bioelectronic pacifier , Capillary reservoir , Ion-selective electrode
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Citation
Lim, H.-R., Lee, S. M., Park, S., Choi, C., Kim, H., Kim, J., . . . Yeo, W.-H. (2022). Smart bioelectronic pacifier for real-time continuous monitoring of salivary electrolytes. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 210. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2022.114329
Abstract

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.

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Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
Journal
Book Title
Series
Biosensors and Bioelectronics
v.210
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
0956-5663
EISSN