The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for monitoring and/or providing feedback for drugs or other pharmaceuticals taken by a subject. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to devices and methods for determining a species within the skin of a subject; and producing feedback to a subject based on the determination of the species. The feedback may be, for example, visual, audible, tactile, a change in temperature, etc. In some cases, information regarding the determination of the species may be transmitted to another entity, e.g., a health care provider, a computer, a relative, etc., which may then provide feedback to the subject in some fashion. In some cases, the feedback may be directly indicative of the species. However, the feedback may also be indirect in some embodiments.

The microneedle array includes a substrate having a central opening formed therethrough, and a plurality of microneedles positioned about a perimeter defining the central opening. At least one of the microneedles has a recess formed therein adjacent a tip thereof, and this recess is at least partially filled with a layer of active material. A sensor for detecting chemical analytes, biological analytes or the like may be constructed by providing two such microneedle arrays, with one serving as the working electrode and one serving as a reference electrode. The working electrode and the reference electrode may both be connected to a signal analyzer for detecting electrochemical signals. The working electrode and the reference electrode may be separate from one another or may be stacked together.

A microneedle and a chip are disclosed for extraction fluids. The microneedle is provided on a substrate and comprises an elongated body extending from a distal end with a bevel to a proximal end on the substrate along a longitudinal axis. The elongated body comprises a capillary bore extending in a longitudinal direction thereof and defines a fluid path. The proximal end is integrally connected with the substrate and the capillary bore is in fluid communication with a fluid channel of the substrate. The cross-sectional area of the capillary bore in the distal end is larger than the cross-sectional area of the capillary bore in the proximal end.

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for delivering and/or withdrawing a substance or substances such as blood or interstitial fluid, from subjects, e.g., from the skin and/or from beneath the skin. In one aspect, the present invention is generally directed to devices and methods for withdrawing or extracting blood from a subject, e.g., from the skin and/or from beneath the skin, using devices containing a fluid transporter (for example, one or more microneedles), and a storage chamber having an internal pressure less than atmospheric pressure prior to receiving blood. In some cases, the device may be self-contained, and in certain instances, the device can be applied to the skin, and activated to withdraw blood from the subject. The device, in some cases, may be interfaced with external equipment to determine an analyte contained within a fluid contained within or collected by the device. For example, the device may be mounted or engaged on an external holder, the device may include a port for transporting fluid out of the device, the device may include a window for interrogating a fluid contained within the device, or the like. The device, or a portion thereof, may then be processed to determine the blood and/or an analyte within the blood, alone or with an external apparatus. For example, blood may be withdrawn from the device, and/or the device may contain sensors or agents able to determine the blood and/or an analyte suspected of being contained in the blood. Other aspects of the present invention are directed at other devices for withdrawing blood (or other bodily fluids, e.g., interstitial fluid), kits involving such devices, methods of making such devices, methods of using such devices, and the like.

A recombinant coronavirus vaccine is provided. Methods of making and delivering the coronavirus vaccine also are provided. A microneedle array is provided, along with methods of making and using the microneedle array.

A gelatin-based (e.g., gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)) patch is disclosed with an array of microneedles (MNs) for minimally invasive sampling of bodily fluids such as interstitial fluid (ISF). The properties of the patch can be tuned by altering the concentration of the GelMA prepolymer and the crosslinking time. The GelMA-based MN patch demonstrated efficient extraction of ISF. Furthermore, in experimental testing, the patch efficiently and quantitatively detects glucose and vancomycin in ISF in an in vivo study. This minimally invasive approach of extracting ISF with a GelMA microneedle enables to detection and analysis of target molecules from patients. The target molecules captured in the patch may be released and analyzed to detect the presence of and/or concentration of target molecules. In other embodiments, the patch itself may be analyzed directly to detect the presence of and/or concentration of target molecules.

A microneedle and a chip are disclosed for extraction of fluids. The microneedle (101) provided on a substrate (102), comprises an elongated body (503) extending from a distal end (504) with a bevel (505) to a proximal end (506) on the substrate along a longitudinal axis; the elongated body comprises a capillary bore (507) extending in a longitudinal direction thereof and defines a fluid path (508); the proximal end is integrally connected with the substrate and the capillary bore is in fluid communication with a fluid channel (309) of the substrate. The cross-sectional area of the capillary bore in the distal end is larger than the cross-sectional area of the capillary bore in the proximal end.

A device and method including at least one electrochemical aptamer sensor for small sample volume sensing. The device (100) includes at least one substrate (110) that defines a microfluidic feature (118) having a defined volume. At least one electrochemical aptamer sensor (120), including an electrode (122) associated with a plurality of aptamers (124), is carried by the substrate and is in fluid communication with the defined volume. The defined volume is capable of containing less than 30 μL of a sample fluid when the defined volume is filled with the sample fluid. Additionally, or alternatively, the volume of the sample fluid in μL is equal to C * the surface area of the electrode in cm.sup.2 that is associated with the plurality of aptamers/concentration of the target analyte in μM; and C has a value chosen from less than 4, less than 0.4, less than 0.04, and less than 0.004.

A medical agent administration device may comprise a main body including a central region and a peripheral region. The peripheral region may have a plurality of petal members extending outwardly from the central region. The device may further comprise at least one coupling on a first face of the central region. The device may further comprise at least one sharp bearing body on an opposing face of the central region. Each of the at least one sharp bearing body may be in fluid communication with a respective one of the at least one coupling.

Provided herein are devices, systems, kits and methods for obtaining genetic information from cell-free fetal nucleic acids in ultra-low amounts of biological samples. Due to the convenience of obtaining ultra-low amounts of samples, devices, systems, kits and methods can be at least partially employed at a point of need.