Advancements in Microneedle Technology for the Rapid Detection of Sepsis Biomarkers

Abstract

Sepsis remains one of the most urgent challenges in critical care because of its high mortality, complex immunopathology, and the persistent difficulty of early diagnosis and continuous monitoring. Conventional approaches rely on non-specific clinical symptoms, slow microbiological confirmation, and biomarkers that often fail to reflect the dynamic progression of the disease. In this context, microneedle-based biosensing has emerged as a promising platform for minimally invasive, real-time access to interstitial fluid and other accessible bio interfaces. This review examines the growing role of microneedle technologies in sepsis diagnosis, monitoring, and future precision management. It discusses the major microneedle formats, including solid, hollow, coated, dissolving, hydrogel-forming, and porous structures, and highlights how each design contributes to sampling, sensing, or transdermal delivery. The review also compares electrochemical and optical transduction strategies, emphasizing their suitability for continuous monitoring of clinically relevant biomarkers such as glucose, lactate, and inflammatory signals. Particular attention is given to material selection, insertion mechanics, signal stability, sterilisation, dosage precision, and the challenges of translating these systems from bench to bedside. In addition, the review considers emerging opportunities created by advanced materials, microfabrication, wearable electronics, and artificial intelligence, which together may support closed-loop, personalized sepsis care. Although substantial progress has been made, important barriers remain in scalability, regulatory approval, long-term reliability, and clinical validation. Overall, microneedle biosensors represent a highly adaptable and forward-looking technology that could transform sepsis monitoring by enabling earlier detection, better physiological tracking, and more targeted therapeutic decisions.