This archive report was first published on 19 December 2019.
On December 19, 2019, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) engineers unveiled a groundbreaking method to record a patient's immunization history: storing the information in a patterned dye that is invisible to the naked eye and delivered under the skin at the same time as the vaccine.
The innovative technique aims to bridge the gap in medical records, particularly in developing countries, where access to electronic records is limited. The dye emits a near-infrared light that can be detected by a specially equipped smartphone.
According to Ana Jaklenec, a biomedical engineer at MIT and co-author of the study, the researchers have successfully tested the dye on cadavers and rats. They plan to begin human testing in Africa within the next two years, with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The quantum dots used in the dye are 3.7 nanometres in diameter and are encapsulated in micro particles that form spheres 16 microns in diameter. These particles are applied to the skin via a microneedle patch, which dissolves over time, releasing the dye.
The technique has shown promising results, with the dye remaining visible after up to five years of simulated sun exposure. However, it raises questions about patient acceptance and the potential for the pattern to change in a growing child.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is continuing to fund the project, with surveys being conducted in Kenya, Malawi, and Bangladesh to determine whether people will adopt this new technology or stick to traditional vaccination cards.
