Flexible opto-electronics enabled microfluidics systems with cloud connectivity for point-of-care micronutrient analysis

• Published in: Biosensors & bioelectronics 2016-04, Vol.78, p.290-299
• Main Authors: Lee, Stephen, Aranyosi, A.J., Wong, Michelle D., Hong, Ji Hyung, Lowe, Jared, Chan, Carol, Garlock, David, Shaw, Scott, Beattie, Patrick D., Kratochvil, Zachary, Kubasti, Nick, Seagers, Kirsten, Ghaffari, Roozbeh, Swanson, Christina D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biosensing Techniques; Blood; CARE system; Cell Phone; Devices; Diagnostic; Electricity; Electronics; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Flexible microelectronics; Format; Humans; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques - methods; Microfluidics; Micronutrients; Micronutrients - blood; Near field communication; Paper microfluidic assay; Point-of-care; Point-of-Care Systems; Progressions; Sensitivity and Specificity
• ISSN: 0956-5663; 1873-4235
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2015.11.060

In developing countries, the deployment of medical diagnostic technologies remains a challenge because of infrastructural limitations (e.g. refrigeration, electricity), and paucity of health professionals, distribution centers and transportation systems. Here we demonstrate the technical development and clinical testing of a novel electronics enabled microfluidic paper-based analytical device (EE-μPAD) for quantitative measurement of micronutrient concentrations in decentralized, resource-limited settings. The system performs immune-detection using paper-based microfluidics, instrumented with flexible electronics and optoelectronic sensors in a mechanically robust, ultrathin format comparable in size to a credit card. Autonomous self-calibration, plasma separation, flow monitoring, timing and data storage enable multiple devices to be run simultaneously. Measurements are wirelessly transferred to a mobile phone application that geo-tags the data and transmits it to a remote server for real time tracking of micronutrient deficiencies. Clinical tests of micronutrient levels from whole blood samples (n=95) show comparable sensitivity and specificity to ELISA-based tests. These results demonstrate instantaneous acquisition and global aggregation of diagnostics data using a fully integrated point of care system that will enable rapid and distributed surveillance of disease prevalence and geographical progression. •Design and clinical testing of a credit-card size diagnostic device.•Combines microfluidic paper analytical device (=PAD) and flexible optoelectronics.•=PAD performs sample processing and immunodetection of micronutrient biomarkers.•Flexible electronics self-calibrate and acquire, store and wirelessly transfer data.•Evaluated the micronutrient status of 95 human blood samples.