Introduction

Hydrogel-based biosensors show promising potential for various applications, including biomedical applications, disease diagnoses, and detecting and quantifying pharmaceuticals. These biosensors employ different detection principles. Hyaluronic-acid-based hydrogels with specific functional groups have been used as cost-effective, miniature biosensors for chemical and biological detection, with sensitivity dependent on factors such as the temperature, pH, and concentration of analytes. In this analysis based on patents, the advances in the development of hyaluronic-acid-based hydrogel biosensors were addressed.

Resources and Methods

Different patent databases have been used according to different keywords related to the topic “hyaluronic-acid-based hydrogel biosensors”. Patent documents were filtered to include only patent applications and granted patents.

Results

From 2003 to 2023, 50 patent documents were published, including 41 patent applications and 9 granted patents. Many patent documents stem from universities and collaborations between academia and industry, as well as foundations. Furthermore, about 54% of all patent documents come from the United States. Cooperative patent classification showed that the majority of patent documents are indeed involving biosensors for measuring characteristics of blood in vivo (e.g., gas concentration, pH value, etc.). More specifically, that concerns measuring glucose by tissue impedance measurement using enzyme electrodes with immobilized oxidase. Based on relevant patents, to create a biosensor, the process involves providing a solid material with an electrode, placing a hydrogel drop on the electrode, subjecting the material to a partial vacuum, spinning it, and finally heating it.

Conclusions and Outlook

In summary, hyaluronic-acid-based hydrogels have enhanced mechanical properties and can be modified to have electrical conductivity, making them suitable for biosensors. These biosensors offer a new perspective for fabricating efficient biosensing systems with applications in various fields. Despite the potential of HA-based hydrogels for biosensors, there are still challenges to be addressed, including regulatory and commercialization hurdles.