Technologies that can enable concentration of low-abundance biomarkers are essential for early diagnosis of diseases. In this study, an optoelectrokinetic technique, termed Rapid Electrokinetic Patterning (REP), was used to enable dynamic particle manipulation in bead-based bioassays. Various manipulation capabilities, such as micro/nanoparticle aggregation, translation, sorting and patterning, were developed. The technique allows for versatile multi-parameter (voltage, light intensity and frequency) based modulation and dynamically addressable manipulation with simple device fabrication. Signal enhancement of a bead-based bioassay was demonstrated using dilute biotin-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) solutions mixed with streptavidin-conjugated particles and rapidly concentrated with the technique. As compared with a conventional ELISA reader, the REP-enabled detection achieved a minimal readout of 3.87 nM, which was a 100-fold improvement in sensitivity. The multi-functional platform provides an effective measure to enhance detection levels in more bead-based bioassays.

Introduction The number of perforators required for safe perfusion remains under debate. This study aimed to determine whether a single‐ or multiple‐perforator‐based anterolateral thigh flap yields better flap outcomes in head and neck reconstruction. Patients and Methods Between August 2012 and July 2016, 180 men and 4 women with a mean age of 52.8 ± 9.8 years underwent head and neck anterolateral thigh flap reconstruction for oncologic defect in 181 cases, plate exposure in two cases, and trismus release in one case. The flap was patched for inner or external lining, folded for through–through defect, or tubed for cervical esophageal reconstruction. Of 184 flaps, 136 (73.9%) were based on multiple perforators (range, 2–5 perforators), whereas 48 (26.1%) were based on a single perforator. The demographics, operative findings, and flap outcomes were compared. Results The prevalence of systemic diseases between groups was comparable. The mean flap size in the single‐perforator group was smaller (92.8 ± 36.8 vs. 140.5 ± 99.9 cm2, P < .0001). Twenty‐one flaps (11.4%) required emergency take‐back and 13 (61.9%) were successfully salvaged. Eight flaps failed, yielding a 95.7% flap survival rate. The single‐perforator group had a significantly higher rate of emergency take‐back for vascular compromise (8/48 (16.7%) vs. 8/136 (5.9%), P = .035), a decreased salvage success rate (2/8 (25.0%) vs. 11/13 (84.6%), P = .018), and a corresponding lower flap survival rate (42/48 (87.5%) vs. 134/136 (98.5%), P = .004). Conclusion Whenever possible, we recommend including multiple cutaneous perforators in anterolateral thigh flaps to yield better flap outcomes in head and neck reconstruction.

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