Transdermal sensing of analytes in interstitial fluid and associated data transmission systems

A method for detecting the presence or concentration of one or more analytes in the interstitial fluid of a subject, comprising

• providing to a user a testing apparatus comprising a disposable integrated micro-sensing unit and an applicator,
• wherein the micro-sensing unit comprises a plurality of hollow transdermal microneedles, a microfluidics chamber, a vent, and one or more sensors in the microfluidics chamber capable of detecting the presence or concentration of the one or more analytes;
• and wherein the applicator comprises a switch capable of initiating the testing event, circuitry for processing data from the sensors, and circuitry for wirelessly transmitting data that result from the testing to a receiver;
• providing a receiver running a software application configured to receive and optionally to further transmit the data, wherein the receiver is a computer, smart phone, smart watch, tablet computing device, or wearable computing device;
• applying the micro-sensing unit to the skin of the subject such that the microneedles contact interstitial fluid in the subject;
• actuating the switch and thereby initiating a testing event, wherein the execution of the testing event and transmission of the data proceed under full automatic control without further intervention by the user;
• collecting data from the sensor(s), processing the data, and transmitting the processed data to the receiver;
• and
• analyzing the data in the software application.