Autonomous microneedle system for biochemical analysis

Autonomous microneedle system with bioluminescent-based sensing capabilities are presented. The analysis systems consists of a microneedle for sample introduction, a stereolithography defined fluid interface containing the analysis reservoir, and a detector. Enzyme catalyzed luciferin-luciferase biochemical reactions driven by adenosine triphosphate were used as the basic transduction mechanism. The reaction chemistry can be biochemically coupled to metabolic reactions for sensing of a variety of metabolites. Two detection mechanisms were studied as methods for quantification of the luminescent output generated from the reaction, the first based on lossy, planar polycarbonate waveguides and the second based on semiconductor photodetectors. The total analysis systems was fabricated and characterized for an ATP concentration range from 2.0 mM to 7.0 mM.