In a new study published in Device, KAUST researchers developed a wearable microneedle patch capable of continuously measuring drug levels beneath the skin and wirelessly transmitting the data to a smartphone in real time. The research points toward a future where wearable technologies could provide continuous information about therapies inside the body, not just physical activity and vital signs.

From snapshots to continuous tracking

Today, many medicines that require careful dosing are monitored through periodic blood tests followed by laboratory analysis. These tests provide only a snapshot of drug levels at a particular moment and can take time to process. The KAUST platform was designed to explore whether continuous monitoring could provide a more complete picture of how medicines move through the body over time.