Hydrogel for Drug Sensor
Due to its high biocompatibility and variability, which makes it easy to adjust gel chemistry, hydrogels have become an excellent sensory system, Especially when it comes to drug testing. Hydrogel enables the detection of drug phenomena in vivo with minimal interference in biological activity.
Introduction to Drug Sensor
A drug sensor, also referred to as a chemical or biosensor, is a specialized device specifically designed for the
detection and quantification of specific drugs or pharmaceutical substances in diverse environments. These sensors
play an indispensable role in healthcare, forensic analysis, and drug development by providing rapid and precise
measurements of drug concentrations. The advancement of drug sensors has become increasingly significant in
monitoring therapeutic drug levels, preventing substance abuse, and ensuring drug safety.
Utilization of Hydrogel for Drug Sensor
To ensure accurate drug dosage determination, hydrogel sensors provide a convenient solution for obtaining rapid results without the need for time-consuming preparation and evaluation. By modifying the surface or utilizing different detection techniques, hydrogel biosensors enable swift, safe, sensitive, and selective identification and quantification of active pharmaceutical ingredients. There are various sensor types available for the detection of drug molecules.
- Hydrogel Sensor for Drug Concentration Detection
The effectiveness of numerous medications is limited to a particular therapeutic range. Insufficient administration may yield unfavorable consequences, such as insufficient provision of the medication, potentially fostering the emergence of antibiotic resistance. The administration of an excessive dose may result in the manifestation of symptoms indicative of poisoning or even fatality. Hydrogel drug sensors are employed for quantifying drug concentrations in patients' blood or other bodily fluids, thereby ensuring the maintenance of therapeutic levels to optimize treatment outcomes. - Hydrogel Sensor for Drug Monitor
Utilization of hydrogel-based microneedle arrays facilitates the in vitro and in vivo extraction and quantification of pharmacological compounds as well as glucose from the skin. In comparison to conventional methods of blood sampling, these microneedles offer a painless approach to detecting drug molecules without any stimulation of skin nerves or bleeding. The exceptional biocompatibility of hydrogel microneedles will significantly enhance therapeutic drug monitoring by substituting current invasive techniques employed for blood sampling. - Hydrogel Sensor for Drug Removal
The discharge of pharmaceuticals into water has a significant impact on living organisms, even at low concentrations. Therefore, efficient and precise identification and elimination of these compounds are crucial objectives in wastewater treatment procedures. Sensor hydrogels provide a viable solution by enabling the controlled release of embedded molecules upon detection of specific drug triggers. Conversely, hydrogels can also be engineered to adsorb targeted drug molecules upon sensing them, thereby facilitating effective environmental remediation.
Fig. 1 Changes in the Debye ring diameter and color of the drug sensor at different
concentrations. (Völlmecke K, et al., 2022)
- Hydrogel Sensor for Illicit Drug Detection
The use of illegal substances has been steadily on the rise, posing a serious concern for public health. Drug overdose can lead to long-lasting health issues and, in severe cases, even death. Hydrogel-based biosensors can detect various commonly abused drugs such as cocaine, fentanyl, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and anabolic steroids. Certain jurisdictions allow for the legal use of other compounds like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or ethanol. Biosensors containing hydrogel can effectively identify and measure all these substances.
Fig. 2 Common drug structures regarding hydrogels for sensing. (Völlmecke K, et al., 2022)
The Hydrogel Development Services We Provide
With professional equipment and experienced specialists, Matexcel provides high-quality physical stimuli-responsive hydrogel development services, chemical/biochemical stimuli responsive hydrogel development services, electro-responsive hydrogel development services, and hydrogel analysis and characterization services. Please contact us for more information.
Reference
- Völlmecke K.; et al. Hydrogel-Based Biosensors. Gels. 2022;8(12):768.