Researchers at Northwestern Medicine and Epicore Biosystems have developed an innovative wearable sweat patch that enables remote monitoring of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The CF patch measures chloride levels in sweat with an accuracy comparable to traditional laboratory tests. This innovation could be an important step towards personalised care and more efficient use of CFTR modulators outside the clinic.
The CF patch is a wireless, wrist-mounted device that uses microfluidic technology to measure both sweat volume and chloride levels. Using a simple photo taken with a smartphone or tablet, colour changes are analysed to display the values. Doctors can then make treatment decisions based on this information, without the patient having to visit a specialist centre. ‘With this technology, we can assess much more accurately whether CFTR modulators are working optimally for an individual patient,’ says Manu Jain, pulmonologist and senior researcher on the project.
From lab to home measurements
The current standard for diagnosing and monitoring CF, the chloride sweat test, is only available in specialised centres. This limits the possibilities for frequent monitoring and makes follow-up in rural areas or low-income regions difficult. The CF patch offers an alternative: reliable, portable and suitable for use at home.
During a feasibility study, 20 adults with CF and 7 healthy participants wore the patch for 14 days. The results showed that the measurements closely matched the reference values from laboratory tests.
Patient-centred monitoring
In addition to accuracy, user-friendliness is also important. The CF patch has been designed with ease of use in mind for patients' everyday lives. This innovation is therefore part of the broader movement towards self-monitoring, home measurements and personalised treatment strategies. This is a development that is gaining ground. ‘The ability to track day-to-day variations in chloride levels helps to better understand and optimise the effect of CFTR medication,’ says Jain.
Smart patches are also increasingly being used in the Netherlands. Last year a study by the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine showed that a newly developed wireless EKG Patch is as accurate, if not more accurate, than traditional ECG devices. The patch, called EKG Patch Solution, is an all-in-one solution developed by MG Medical Products. It has built-in lead wires attached to pre-built electrodes for easier placement on the chest and eliminating the risk of electrode placement errors.
Potentially suitable for screening
The next phase of the American study will investigate whether the CF patch can be used more widely for screening and diagnostics, particularly in areas where access to specialist care is limited. This could contribute to faster diagnoses and timely treatment, with potentially significant health benefits for people with (as yet undiagnosed) CF.
The study has been published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and marks an important step towards smart, patient-centred technologies that bring clinical care closer to home.