Wearable ring with microfluidic perspiration collector and dock-based optical biomarker analysis

A method of analyzing perspiration using the wearable ring and a docking station, the method comprising:

• placing the wearable ring on a user's finger;
• during wear, passively collecting perspiration in the microfluidic collector via the intake microchannels into the at least one reservoir;
• after wear, seating the ring in the docking station with the interface region aligned to the docking station;
• performing an analysis selected from:
• (i) optically interrogating perspiration or biomarkers through the optical window of the interface region while the fluid remains in the collector, and
• (ii) transferring at least a portion of the perspiration or retained biomarkers through a fluidic coupling from the collector to an analyzer of the docking station and analyzing the transferred sample;
• and
• resetting the collector after the analysis by at least one of a rinse, a pressure pulse, air purging, or heating to prepare the collector for a subsequent collection cycle.

A biosensing system comprising:

• a wearable ring having an annular body defining an inner peripheral surface and including one or more of PPG sensor units and a microfluidic perspiration collector disposed at the inner peripheral surface, the collector collecting perspiration by capillary action into at least one reservoir and a window for a fluidic and/or optical access;
• and
• a docking station configured to receive the ring in a defined orientation and including an analyzer having an optical transmitter and an optical detector aligned to the interface region, and a controller programmed to perform at least one of:
• (i) optical analysis through the window while fluid remains in the collector, or
• (ii) transfer of perspiration or retained biomarkers from the collector through the window to an internal flow cell for analysis,
• wherein the docking station is further configured to reset the collector after analysis by at least one of a rinse, a pressure pulse, or heating.

A replaceable microfluidic perspiration collector configured for installation at an inner peripheral surface of a wearable ring, the collector comprising:

• an intake region having pores that open to the inner peripheral surface;
• a network of microchannels dimensioned to passively wick perspiration by capillary action to at least one reservoir;
• and
• a functional region positioned adjacent to an optical window or a fluidic service port, the functional region including at least one of:
• (i) a retention medium selected from ion-exchange material, affinity capture material, or a molecularly imprinted polymer, or
• (ii) an indicator or enzyme pad that produces an optical response to a target biomarker,
• wherein the collector is configured to be interrogated optically through the optical window or to release fluid through the service port when engaged by a docking station.