Microdialysis technique: Overview and applications in biomedical research

Abstract

Microdialysis is a technique for both recovering and administering substances in a target site (which may be tissues, organs, etc.). In both cases, it involves a probe to be inserted on site. Although the probe needs to be physically inserted into the site, the microdialysis probe is relatively small and is minimally-invasive (minimal changes or injuries to the target site). This along with many other features of microdialysis (e.g. can be performed on almost every organ and tissue, can be used on living, awake and even moving patients, etc.) make this technique very popular.There are a few types of design of microdialysis probe and the design is depend on the applications and target of implant. There are many factors that affect the analyte recovery such as membrane area, diffusion coefficient and perfusion flow rate. This paper aims to review the microdialysis applications and intend to give a comprehensive overview for those who wanting to utilize this technique or who are already experienced in this experimental field. The possibilities and limitation of microdialysis in biomedical research will be discussed.