Kidney Week

Abstract: TH-PO1297

A Wearable, Real-Time Creatinine Monitor Supports the Early Detection and Quantification of Changing Renal Function

Session Information

• Late-Breaking Research Posters
  October 22, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Acute Kidney Injury

• 102 AKI: Clinical, Outcomes, and Trials

Authors

• Mcleay, Robert C., Nutromics, Brunswick, Victoria, Australia

Robert C. Mcleay, MD, PhD

• Barnard, Adele, Nutromics, Brunswick, Victoria, Australia

Adele Barnard, PhD

• Plaxco, Kevin W., Nutromics, Brunswick, Victoria, Australia

Kevin W. Plaxco, PhD

• Gerson, Julian, Nutromics, Brunswick, Victoria, Australia

Julian Gerson

Background

Early intervention (optimizing fluid and reducing the underlying insult) can substantially reduce the burdens associated with acute kidney injury (AKI). Unfortunately, however, AKI is currently diagnosed using urinary output, which can be ambiguous, and intermittent plasma creatinine, which requires blood draws and lab testing, thus delaying the delivery of actionable information. We hypothesize that creatinine's widespread reputation as a late marker¹ of AKI may reflect the latter, analytical limitations. If so, real-time creatinine measurements could prove an early diagnostic of renal stress, and thus prognostic of AKI. Thus motivated, we have developed an electrochemical, aptamer-based (EAB) sensor supporting real-time, in vivo creatinine measurements and evaluated it across four stages:

Methods

.

Results

1. Rat AKI model (UC Santa Barbara): In a rat AKI model (unilateral renal artery ligation) intravenous creatinine sensors detected and quantified an abrupt, 50% loss of renal function in just minutes.

2. Rat Nephrotoxic challenge (Nutromics, San Diego). Anesthetized rats wearing a dual-sensor "patch" measuring in the dermal interstitial fluid (ISF) were challenged (IV) with its two targets: creatinine and the nephrotoxic antibiotic vancomycin. Each sensor responded rapidly and specifically to its target. Upon vancomycin challenge alone, the creatinine sensor recorded a small rise consistent with reduced renal function. To our knowledge, this represents the first demonstration that continuous creatinine monitoring can capture an early, dynamic response to nephrotoxicity, again challenging the "late marker" paradigm.

3. Healthy human study (Nutromics, Melbourne): Following oral challenge (10g creatine surrogate for the acute rise seen in AKI) we find ISF creatinine tracked reference plasma creatinine with negligible lag and a post-challenge MARD of 19.5% across 5 healthy participants wearing microneedle-based sensor patches.

4. Intended use (US Hospitals): The device will be evaluated in ICU patients, with resulting data expected before the meeting.

Conclusion

Collectively, these data suggest that EAB sensor patches supporting the measurement of ISF creatinine can provide a convenient, real-time view into renal function. By enabling earlier detection and quantification, this world-first advance could open a window for the timelier and more effective treatment of AKI.

Funding

• Commercial Support – Self Funded, Nutromics