A method for collecting a body fluid sample of a person to be examined is provided. The method comprises steps of: providing a body fluid sample collecting device and a body fluid sample inspection device for collecting the body fluid sample according to a test sampling requirement, wherein the body fluid sample collecting device includes a body fluid sample collecting region having an open hydrophilic layer with a specific layer area, and configured for collecting a predetermined amount of the body fluid sample; from a body surface of the person to be examined, causing the body fluid sample to be collected onto the body fluid sample collecting region until the body fluid sample covers the hydrophilic layer completely; and receiving the body fluid sample from the body fluid collecting region to be inspected in the body fluid sample inspection device.

Bodily fluid sample collection systems, devices, and method are provided. The device may comprise a first portion comprising at least a sample collection channel configured to draw the fluid sample into the sample collection channel via a first type of motive force. The sample collection device may include a second portion comprising a sample container for receiving the bodily fluid sample collected in the sample collection channel, the sample container operably engagable to be in fluid communication with the collection channel, whereupon when fluid communication is established, the container provides a second motive force different from the first motive force to move a majority of the bodily fluid sample from the channel into the container.

The present invention provides devices and methods for detecting and capturing molecular biomarkers from a subject in situ. Specifically, the devices contain an array of microneedles to which are attached probes specific for one or more biomarkers of interest. The devices can be used directly on a subject (e.g., via skin piercing) in detecting the biomarkers in the body of the subject (e.g., tissues, blood stream).

The present invention relates to the fields of medicine and cancer, more particularly to the field of skin cancer (e.g. melanoma and non-melanoma cancers) and skin cancer treatment. Provided are methods for treating skin cancer using microneedle devices for the removal of an amount of interstitial fluid or tumor interstitial fluid from a skin tumor. Also provided are therapeutic compounds for use in the treatment of skin cancer, wherein the treatment comprises removal of an amount of interstitial fluid or tumor interstitial fluid from a skin tumor.

A diagnostic transdermal patch which utilizes a microneedle array and an integrated biochemical assay to detect the presence of biomolecules which are associated with a specific condition or disease, such as mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI).

A sensor device, such as a biosensor, may comprise a polymer substrate, which is structured so as to form sets of microneedles and respective vias. The microneedles extend, each, from a base surface of the substrate. Each of the vias extends through a thickness of the substrate, thereby forming a corresponding set of apertures on the base surface. Each of the apertures is adjacent to a respective one of the microneedles. The device further may comprise two or more electrodes, these including a sensing electrode and a reference electrode. Each electrode may comprise an electrically conductive material layer that coats a region of the substrate, so as to coat at least some of the microneedles and neighboring portions of said base surface. Related devices, apparatuses, and methods of fabrication and use of such devices may be provided.

A sensor device, such as a biosensor, may comprise a polymer substrate, which is structured so as to form sets of microneedles and respective vias. The microneedles extend, each, from a base surface of the substrate. Each of the vias extends through a thickness of the substrate, thereby forming a corresponding set of apertures on the base surface. Each of the apertures is adjacent to a respective one of the microneedles. The device further may comprise two or more electrodes, these including a sensing electrode and a reference electrode. Each electrode may comprise an electrically conductive material layer that coats a region of the substrate, so as to coat at least some of the microneedles and neighboring portions of said base surface. Related devices, apparatuses, and methods of fabrication and use of such devices may be provided.

The present invention relates to a method for screening a pain-inhibiting substance, said method comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a microdialysis probe into the L1 site of a spinal cord dorsal horn of a neuropathic pain animal model; (b) collecting a first test sample from the L1 site by microdialysis; (c) administering a pain-inhibiting candidate substance into the body of the animal model; (d) after having administered the pain inhibiting candidate substance, then collecting a second test sample from the L1 site by microdialysis; (e) measuring the concentrations of a pain indicator substance in the first test sample and second test sample respectively; and (f) comparing the concentrations of the pain indicator substance in the first test sample and second test sample.

A problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method of assisting diagnosis of the health condition of a subject by correcting variation in an amount of a collected disease marker, which is caused by variation in the skin barrier function of the subject, and acquiring information reflecting the health condition of the subject accurately, and to solve the problem, the present invention provides a method of assisting diagnosis of a disease in a subject using a disease marker and a reference marker, the method including: applying, to a skin surface of the subject, a sheet capable of generating an attractive force due to electrostatic interaction between the sheet and each of the disease and reference markers; detaching the sheet from the skin surface; measuring the amount of each of the disease and reference markers that are attached to the sheet; and acquiring information on the disease in the subject based on a value obtained by correcting the measured amount of the disease marker with the measured amount of the reference marker, wherein the reference marker is annexin A2.

Bodily fluid sample collection systems, devices, and method are provided. The device may comprise a first portion comprising at least a sample collection channel configured to draw the fluid sample into the sample collection channel via a first type of motive force. The sample collection device may include a second portion comprising a sample container for receiving the bodily fluid sample collected in the sample collection channel, the sample container operably engagable to be in fluid communication with the collection channel, whereupon when fluid communication is established, the container provides a second motive force different from the first motive force to move a majority of the bodily fluid sample from the channel into the container.