SBIR/STTR Award attributes
Project Summary/Abstract Wearable sensor for opioids detection based on electrochemical sensor arrayintegrated with Bluetooth deviceIn this Phase I project, we will develop the prototype of a wearable device, as a forearm bracelet, for rapid, on-site opioid intake monitoring and alerting. We will demonstrate the feasibility of this approach by fabricating an electrochemical sensor array, sweat stimulator, and flexible printed circuit board, integrated all in one microchip capable of opioids detecting in human sweat with ultra-high sensitivity (ng/L range) and enhanced selectivity. To provide an ultra-high sensitivity, a nanoporous silicon membrane will be employed as a substrate for the working electrode. Additionally, advancements of the proposed approach include a high level of integration of all functional modules in one microchip, low cost and maintenance through long-term durability, low power consumption, and cost-effective production. The proposed Phase I project has three Aims: • Aim 1: Develop a prototype of the sensory wearable device, which comprises: (i)an electrochemical sensor array tuned to two target opioids and integrated with(ii) a sweat stimulator, (iii) flexible printed circuit board and (iv) Bluetooth transceiver; • Aim 2: Demonstrate that the prototype is capable of opioid detecting with ultra-high sensitivity (within ng/L range) and high selectivity/low cross-reactivity; • Aim 3: Investigate the correlation between prototype sensitivity/specificity andhuman parameters (age, gender) with the assistance of drug treatment centerin Fall River, MA.In Phase II the prototype of the wearable device will be further optimized and developed to the level of commercial readiness. Major objectives of Phase II include: wireless communication with user interface (smartphone, computer), increasing the number of sensors in the array to other opioids (mostly synthetic), improvement of sensitivity (down to low ng/L range) cross-reactivity and long-term stability, business plan preparation, patent filing and establishing contacts with end-users, purchasers and venture groups so that product commercialization can be started after Phase II.Project NarrativeThe goal of this proposal is to develop a wearable device, as a forearm bracelet, for rapid, on-site opioids intake monitoring and wireless alerting. We will demonstrate the feasibility of this approach by fabricating an electrochemical sensor array, sweat stimulator, and flexible printed circuit board, integrated all in one microchip that is capable of detecting opioids in the human sweat with high sensitivity and selectivity, has long-term durability, and can be manufactured cost-effectively. This new sensing platform will overcome the limitations of current methods of opioids detection employing sweat collection and its analysis at lab facilities.
