Monitoring electrolytes is critical for newborns and babies in the intensive care unit. However, the gold standard methods use a blood draw, which is painful and only offers discrete measures. Although salivary-based detection offers promise as an alternative, existing devices are ineffective for real-time, continuous monitoring of electrolytes due to their rigidity, bulky form factors, and lack of salivary accumulation.
Our interest lies in a smart, wireless, bioelectronic pacifier for salivary electrolyte monitoring of neonates, which can detect real-time continuous sodium and potassium levels without a blood draw. The miniature system facilitates the seamless integration of the ultralight and low-profile device with a commercial pacifier without additional fixtures or structural modifications. The portable device includes ion-selective sensors, flexible circuits, and microfluidic channels, allowing simplified measurement protocols in non-invasive electrolyte monitoring... (LINK)