JOB TYPE

INTERNSHIP OR MASTER THESIS PROJECT

TITLE

Microneedle-based devices for minimally invasive diagnostic applications.

BACKGROUND

Medical diagnostics most often requires sampling of blood, which is typically collected in a painful manner using large needles, either via venipuncture at the hospitals or more recently at the point-of-care (PoC) via finger pricks using lancets.

Recent developments in analytical technologies enable the use of new matrices such as interstitial fluid (ISF), a matrix that can be found in the skin and accessed using minimally invasive and painless technologies, such as microneedles. However, there is currently a lack of devices able to collect ISF in a controlled and cost-effective manner, which could then be practically used at the PoC and be an alternative to traditional blood sampling for certain applications.

Some patients, instead, require constant monitoring for their condition, as in the case of diabetes, which is currently affecting 400+ million people, causing 5+ million deaths worldwide. Real-time continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in ISF, in the form of wearable transcutaneous sensors, has gained large attention in the last two decades, as it can significantly improve the quality of the treatment, offering a complete temporal picture, besides solving the discomfort of finger pricks required by conventional methods. CGM systems are available on the market, but still suffer from significant limitations in terms of invasiveness, accessibility, and cost-price, among others.

Microneedle-based integrated systems, with their reduced invasiveness and potentially scalable manufacturing processes, thus offer new possibilities for improved diagnostic procedures both for the patients and for the healthcare providers.

MAIN GOAL

The aim of the project is to develop, assemble and test prototypes of microneedle-based medical devices to be used in minimally invasive diagnostic applications, and ultimately demonstrate their functionality in-vivo on human subjects.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

To reach this goal improvements and optimizations are needed on the platforms previously developed within the group.^{[1, 2, 3]} In particular, three areas will be subject of the internship work:

I. Identify and study different solutions, materials, and configurations for the devices.

II. Design and manufacture/3D-print prototypes of the various system components.

III. Evaluate the functionality of the devices in controlled laboratory conditions and, when applicable, on human subjects.

These points can be modified according to the results achieved during the internship work, and according to the research developments within the team.

ABOUT YOU

- You studied Biomedical/Mechanical/Material Science Engineering, or a corresponding degree.

- You like hands-on work in the lab, and can work both independently and as part of a team.

- You can perform at least a 3-month internship.

APPLY

Your application for a master thesis / internship can be sent to: Federico Ribet, ribet@kth.se

REFERENCES

1. Ribet et al., "Real-time intradermal continuous glucose monitoring using a minimally invasive microneedle-based system”, Biomedical microdevices, 2018. (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10544-018-0349-6)

2. Ribet et al., "Vertical integration of microchips by magnetic assembly and edge wire bonding”, Microsystems and Nanoengineering, 2020. (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41378-019-0126-6)

3. Ribet et al., “Microneedle Patch for Painless Intradermal Collection of Interstitial Fluid Enabling Multianalyte Measurement of Small Molecules, SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies, and Protein Profiling”, Advanced Healthcare Materials, 2023. (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adhm.202202564)

ABOUT US

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities. The Division of Micro and Nanosystems (MST) is conducting research in the field of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) and deals with devices that have dimensions in the micro and nanoscale. We collaborate with innovative startups in the field and are an innovation hub. In particular, the research in the Medical Device group is focused on two main areas: minimally invasive medical devices and miniaturized in-vitro diagnostic technologies.

KTH Micro and Nanosystems (MST)

New Jobs

Engineering Internship - Biomedical devices and Microsystems