Determining vaccination status in the developing world using microneedle-delivered fluorescent microparticles

Kevin J. McHugh, Lihong Jing, Sean Y. Severt, Mache Cruz, Hapuarachchige Surangi N. Jayawardena, Collin F. Perkinson, Morteza Sarmadi, Fridrik Larusson, Matthew Peters, Sviatlana Rose, Stephanie Tomasic, Tyler Graf, Stephany Y. Tzeng, James L. Sugarman, Nels Peterson, Robert Langer, Ana Jaklenec

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Statement of Purpose: Vaccines have been shown to be exceptionally safe and effective, yet each year 1.5 million people die due to vaccine-preventable infectious disease [1]. Challenges in terrain and availability of adequate tools in resource constrained settings often limit the effective distribution of vaccines, which can lead to reduced vaccine coverage rates [2]. One key barrier to improving vaccine coverage rates in low-resource settings is the lack of accurate immunization records. Because centralized databases of medical records do not exist in these areas, healthcare workers often rely on verbal communication with parents to determine vaccination status, which is often inaccurate leading to missed opportunities to vaccinate and wasted resources when additional unnecessary doses of vaccine are administered. To address this issue, we have developed an on-patient medical record using long-lived fluorescent microparticles, microneedles, and an adapted smartphone to determine vaccination status in the developing world. Our platform is designed to deliver both the vaccine and fluorescent particles in one form factor to streamline the administration process and be detectable for up to five years using a minimally-adapted smartphone.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSociety for Biomaterials Annual Meeting and Exposition 2019
Subtitle of host publicationThe Pinnacle of Biomaterials Innovation and Excellence - Transactions of the 42nd Annual Meeting
PublisherSociety for Biomaterials
Pages186
Number of pages1
ISBN (Electronic)9781510883901
StatePublished - 2019
Externally publishedYes
Event42nd Society for Biomaterials Annual Meeting and Exposition 2019: The Pinnacle of Biomaterials Innovation and Excellence - Seattle, United States
Duration: Apr 3 2019Apr 6 2019

Publication series

NameTransactions of the Annual Meeting of the Society for Biomaterials and the Annual International Biomaterials Symposium
Volume40
ISSN (Print)1526-7547

Conference

Conference42nd Society for Biomaterials Annual Meeting and Exposition 2019: The Pinnacle of Biomaterials Innovation and Excellence
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySeattle
Period4/3/194/6/19

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Biophysics
  • Biotechnology
  • Biomaterials
  • Materials Chemistry

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