Wearable sensor-actuator microsystems for the continuous monitoring of reproductive hormones during assisted fertilization - WEREPRO

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Hormonal-related changes are one of the main causes of problems with pregnancy planning. Many fertility treatments include hormone injections and periodic hormone measurements in blood, in order to prevent ovary overstimulation or to determine the suitable insemination or ovule extraction times. Therefore, the levels of injected and circulating hormones need to be precisely controlled. With the support of clinical scientists, this project aims at addressing the challenge of real-time monitoring of reproductive hormones using a wearable device. The consequent timely stimulation and maturation might help to increase the chances of successful pregnancy or ovum retrieval, reducing the need of intravaginal ultrasound inspection or frequent blood extractions. Traditional measurements are based on testing of blood serum, saliva or urine, which impose several limitations in terms of continuous screening. On one hand, frequent measurements in blood would suppose excessive sample collection in an invasive way. On the other hand, saliva can only be used for steroid hormones but not for peptide-based ones. In addition, results obtained from saliva may be affected by exogenous hormones contained in food or by bacteria. Dermal interstitial fluid (ISF) is a suitable alternative, since it can be easily collected with micro-invasive devices and has similar proteomic profile to plasma. Besides, it does not coagulate, making it more secure to preserve sensor operation as well as for patients’ health. The aim of the hereby proposed project is to develop a wearable device equipped with a biosensor for continuous female reproductive hormones monitoring in ISF. The device will help to personalize hormone therapy and reduce the stress the patients undergoing fertility treatments are exposed to. To reach the goal of the project, two partners will join efforts based on their expertise. TU Dresden, with long experience in nanomaterials-based biosensors, will focus on the development of field-effect transistors as highly sensitive nanodevices to transduce the signal of hormone biorecognition. IFW-Dresden, with expertise on smart actuators, will develop microvalve-controlled smart microneedle arrays for the controlled ISF sampling on demand. Both partners will work together on the assembly of the whole device via microfluidics and will clinically validate it in collaboration with clinical scientists. Overall, the project will provide an advantageous approach for female hormone monitoring, reducing invasiveness compared to blood analysis and implementing wearability. Additional future benefits include safety increase by eliminating side effects of excessive hormonal injections, personalizing the therapy, enabling remote patient-clinician interaction by integrating the device into an Internet of Things Hub system and the creation of digital twins combining the data with other vital parameters, all with a positive impact toward successful infertility treatments.