scholarly journals Capillary-Driven Flow Microfluidics Combined with Smartphone Detection: An Emerging Tool for Point-of-Care Diagnostics

Diagnostics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 509
Author(s):  
Sammer-ul Hassan ◽  
Aamira Tariq ◽  
Zobia Noreen ◽  
Ahmed Donia ◽  
Syed Z. J. Zaidi ◽  
...  

Point-of-care (POC) or near-patient testing allows clinicians to accurately achieve real-time diagnostic results performed at or near to the patient site. The outlook of POC devices is to provide quicker analyses that can lead to well-informed clinical decisions and hence improve the health of patients at the point-of-need. Microfluidics plays an important role in the development of POC devices. However, requirements of handling expertise, pumping systems and complex fluidic controls make the technology unaffordable to the current healthcare systems in the world. In recent years, capillary-driven flow microfluidics has emerged as an attractive microfluidic-based technology to overcome these limitations by offering robust, cost-effective and simple-to-operate devices. The internal wall of the microchannels can be pre-coated with reagents, and by merely dipping the device into the patient sample, the sample can be loaded into the microchannel driven by capillary forces and can be detected via handheld or smartphone-based detectors. The capabilities of capillary-driven flow devices have not been fully exploited in developing POC diagnostics, especially for antimicrobial resistance studies in clinical settings. The purpose of this review is to open up this field of microfluidics to the ever-expanding microfluidic-based scientific community.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustafa Sen

Paper-based sensors have great potential to be used in a variety of fields ranging from environmental monitoring to clinical and point-of-care diagnostics. These sensors are disposable, cost effective, flexible and easy to use. The aim of this study was to fabricate a low cost, disposable, reliable and easy to use paper-based electrochemical sensor and its electrochemical modification with nanostructured Au for glucose detection in alkaline solutions.


Nanophotonics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed A. Mousa ◽  
Nadia H. Rafat ◽  
Amr A. E. Saleh

Abstract Raman identification is an instrumental tool with a broad range of applications, yet current spectroscopy approaches fall short in facilitating practical and scalable Raman identification platforms. In this work, we introduce a spectrometerless Raman identification approach that utilizes guided-mode resonance filters. Unlike arrayed narrowband-filters spectrometer, we tailor the transmission characteristics of each filter to match the Raman signature of a given target. Hence, instantaneous Raman identification could be directly achieved at the hardware level with no spectral data post-processing. The filters consist of a metasurface grating encapsulated between two identical distributed Bragg reflectors and are characterized by transmission peaks line-widths narrower than 0.01 nm and transmission efficiency exceeding 98%. We develop a rigorous design methodology to customize the filters’ characteristics such that the maximum optical transmission through a given filter is only attained when exposed to the Raman scattering from its matched target. To illustrate the potential of our approach, we theoretically investigate the identification of four different saccharides as well as the classification of two antibiotic-susceptible and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus. We show that our proposed approach can accurately identify these targets. Our work lays the foundation for a new-generation of scalable, compact, and cost-effective instant Raman identification platforms that can be adopted in countless applications from wearables and point-of-care diagnostics to in-line quality control in food and pharmaceutical industries.


Author(s):  
Maria Botrous ◽  
Shehreen Dheda ◽  
Karen Liu ◽  
Aswathi Sreedharan ◽  
Kristine Velasco

The aim of this project is to develop a cost effective point of care (POC) microfluidic diagnostic device to detect the presence of active tuberculosis (TB) in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) co-infected individuals in developing countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 8.8 million people develop new cases of active TB each year in addition to the many millions of untreated existing cases. Current TB diagnostic tests are less accurate in detecting active TB in HIV co-infected individuals. Hence, the development of a fast, affordable, portable and handheld device to accurately detect active TB is necessary. As there are different stages of TB infection, it is important to detect the presence and progress of the infection. Our device design utilizes a serological assay in a microfluidic device, incorporating protein antigen microarrays spotted onto nitrocellulose, to detect TB at various stages of the disease. Features of the design include a microfilter to separate serum from the blood sample to be used, a passive pump to ensure uniform continuous flow, and an immunosensor to detect and analyze results.


Nanoscale ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 9647-9652
Author(s):  
Ewelina Wajs ◽  
Girish Rughoobur ◽  
Keith Burling ◽  
Anne George ◽  
Andrew J. Flewitt ◽  
...  

TFBAR technology demonstrates a cost-effective means for point-of-care diagnostics and monitoring of PSA.


MRS Advances ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (22) ◽  
pp. 1299-1308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yehoshua Auerbach ◽  
Rebecca Isseroff ◽  
Nicholas Clayton ◽  
Miguel Hulyalkar ◽  
Andrew Todt ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTWe have shown that molecular imprinting (MI) technology can be used to produce sensitive, robust, cost-effective biosensing systems with a real-time electrochemical readout that can be utilized for point of care diagnostics. Real time detection of biomarkers is essential when rapid, critical decisions need to be made, such as in situations where public health is threatened. Our biosensor has high sensitivity compared to standard methods like ELISA, and results are obtained within minutes, using inexpensive, accessible potentiometric readout technology. These biosensors utilize surface molecular imprinting of a self-assembling monolayer of hydroxy-terminated alkanethiol chains which form a crystalline ‘lock-and-key’ structure around a target analyte, allowing the sensors to detect and differentiate between bio-macromolecules of similar size and shape with high selectivity and sensitivity. The sensors are extremely versatile and able to detect a diverse range of molecules of varied chemical composition and structure. To fully exploit the sensors’ advantages, especially in remote, economically disadvantaged areas, it is important to quantify their durability and reusability. Biosensor chips were created to test the viability of hemoglobin detection and to evaluate the potential for sensor reusability when washed after detection testing. The successful readsorption of hemoglobin even after washing, accompanied by cyclic voltammetry data indicating the preservation of the SAM, indicate that these biosensors are reusable, significantly augmenting the device’s value. Potential applications include the analysis of complex chemical and biological processes such as stem cell differentiation and on-the-spot detection of diseases such as Zika.


Abstract The 20th century digital revolution has already seen the introduction of faster, more diverse, easier to use technologies with extended capacity and capability that has enhanced productivity in Laboratory Medicine and allowed more effective use of human resource. With increasing demands for better health and best care the challenge to future healthcare systems is to deploy technology, facilities and human resources more effectively. For the 21st century the digital age heralds opportunities for information-led technology providers to become healthcare providers when algorithm driven care can support patients’ needs at the point of care close to or in their homes. For Specialists in Laboratory Medicine the opportunity arises for working beyond the laboratory in partnership with the emerging providers. The challenge to specialists is to extend their skill and competence to leadership roles that (a) determine clinical need and strategic direction for local environments, (b) ensure technology solutions are cost-effective, safe and reliable, (c) assume the business acumen to market, negotiate and manage change in services, (d) expect understanding of the clinical bioinformatics that underpin genomics, health information science (data mining and health economics) and physical sciences (e) expect knowledge and skills in the provision of direct clinical care in the face of staffing shortfalls experienced by many healthcare systems and (f) enhance their communication and interactive skills. In growing their leadership contribution a partnership approach in education and training across healthcare divides, in conjunction with the diagnostics and/or information technology industries, through integrated professional organisation approaches, joint approaches with academia and policy related healthcare organisations is recommended.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J Brogan ◽  
Duverney Chaverra-Rodriguez ◽  
Calvin P Lin ◽  
Andrea L Smidler ◽  
Ting Yang ◽  
...  

AbstractSince its first emergence from China in late 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has spread globally despite unprecedented containment efforts, resulting in a catastrophic worldwide pandemic. Successful identification and isolation of infected individuals can drastically curtail virus spread and limit outbreaks. However, during the early stages of global transmission, point-of-care diagnostics were largely unavailable and continue to remain difficult to procure, greatly inhibiting public health efforts to mitigate spread. Furthermore, the most prevalent testing kits rely on reagent- and time-intensive protocols to detect viral RNA, preventing rapid and cost-effective diagnosis. Therefore the development of an extensive toolkit for point-of-care diagnostics that is expeditiously adaptable to new emerging pathogens is of critical public health importance. Recently, a number of novel CRISPR-based diagnostics have been developed to detect COVID-19. Herein, we outline the development of a CRISPR-based nucleic acid molecular diagnostic utilizing a Cas13d ribonuclease derived from Ruminococcus flavefaciens (CasRx) to detect SARS-CoV-2, an approach we term SENSR (Sensitive Enzymatic Nucleic-acid Sequence Reporter). We demonstrate SENSR robustly detects SARS-CoV-2 sequences in both synthetic and patient-derived samples by lateral flow and fluorescence, thus expanding the available point-of-care diagnostics to combat current and future pandemics.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1798
Author(s):  
Ravi Mani Tripathi ◽  
Sang J. Chung

The enzyme mimetic activity of nanomaterials has been applied in colorimetric assays and point-of-care diagnostics. Several nanomaterials have been exploited for their peroxidase mimetic activity toward 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. However, an efficient nanomaterial for the rapid and strong oxidation of TMB remains a strategic challenge. Therefore, in this study, we developed copper-loaded tin oxide (SnO2-Cu) nanocomposites that rapidly oxidize TMB. These nanocomposites have strong absorption at 650 nm and can be used for highly sensitive colorimetric detection. An environmentally friendly (green), rapid, easy, and cost-effective method was developed for the synthesis of these nanocomposites, which were characterized using ultraviolet-visible, energy-dispersive X-ray, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, as well as scanning electron microscopy. This is the first green synthesis of SnO2-Cu nanocomposites. Their enzyme mimetic activity, which was first studied here, was found to be strongly dependent on the temperature and pH value of the solution. The synthesized nanocomposites have the advantages of low cost, high stability, and ease of preparation for enzyme mimetic applications. Hence, SnO2-Cu nanocomposites are a promising alternative to peroxidase enzymes in colorimetric point-of-care diagnostics.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustafa Sen

Paper-based sensors have great potential to be used in a variety of fields ranging from environmental monitoring to clinical and point-of-care diagnostics. These sensors are disposable, cost effective, flexible and easy to use. The aim of this study was to fabricate a low cost, disposable, reliable and easy to use paper-based electrochemical sensor and its electrochemical modification with nanostructured Au for glucose detection in alkaline solutions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pankaj Kumar Tyagi ◽  
Shruti Tyagi ◽  
Mansi Mishra ◽  
Kavya Dashora

Background: According to the current scenario with millions of deaths worldwide, the outbreak of COVID-19 has really created global havoc. The vast spreading of COVID-19 has already challenged the healthcare system and economy of the world. Every country is now putting their best efforts to develop their own standards, strategies and policies to fight against this pandemic. Therefore, huge amount of research grants is allocated for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 globally. Objective: Scientists/researchers around the world are working in different fields, i.e., biological, physical and chemical sciences has collaborated for effective outcome in this fight. In the light of above-mentioned challenges, the researchers of nanotechnology community can contribute significantly in this direction. Results: As a team member of nanotechnology community, we suggest various research targets that can be designed/improved, optimized and developed by nanotechnologists. These research targets includes, Point-of-care diagnostics (POCD), Surveillance and monitoring, Therapeutics, Vaccine development, Improving existing drugs with potential therapeutic applications, Developing antiviral nanocoating/antimicrobial spray-based coating for PPE, Magnetic nanoparticles and viral RNA (Ribonucleic acid) and Rapid detection kits. Conclusion: It can be concluded that multiple areas such as the development of nano-biosensor based diagnostic technology (capable to produce fast and accurate results), development of nano-encapsulated drugs/vaccines or other efficient systems, testing/improving existing drugs with potential therapeutic applications, developing antiviral nanocoating/antimicrobial spray-based coating for PPE etc needs immediate attention.


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