A smart closed-loop microneedle system for self-regulated blood glucose management

In modern medicine, glycemic control is critical for the health of individuals with diabetes. Over decades of care, patients with diabetes have relied on glucose meters for monitoring and on insulin or adjunct hypoglycemic agents for glycemic control. Frequent blood sampling and injections increase infection risk, restrict patient mobility, and generate substantial single-use medical waste. We present a simple, user-friendly closed-loop blood-glucose management system. The system integrates a highly sensitive glucose sensor and a controllable drug-release module within a dual-mode microneedle array, coupled with a miniature electrochemical workstation, thereby enabling dynamic glucose monitoring, precise drug delivery, and stable glycemic control with minimal patient intervention. The system's design demonstrates potential for achieving closed-loop glucose management. Preliminary proof-of-concept studies in diabetic mouse models yielded positive trends in relevant data. This work establishes an engineering framework integrating dual-mode microneedle devices with portable bioelectronic devices, providing a technical foundation for future mid-to-long-term closed-loop glucose management.