Biosensing on the Centrifugal Microfluidic Lab-on-a-Disc Platform

Abstract

Lab-on-a-Disc (LoaD) biosensors are increasingly a promising solution for many biosensing applications. In the search for a perfect match between point-of-care (PoC) microfluidic devices and biosensors, the LoaD platform has the potential to be reliable, sensitive, low-cost, and easy-to-use. The present global pandemic draws attention to the importance of rapid sample-to-answer PoC devices for minimising manual intervention and sample manipulation, thus increasing the safety of the health professional while minimising the chances of sample contamination. A biosensor is defined by its ability to measure an analyte by converting a biological binding event to tangible analytical data. With evolving manufacturing processes for both LoaDs and biosensors, it is becoming more feasible to embed biosensors within the platform and/or to pair the microfluidic cartridges with low-cost detection systems. This review considers the basics of the centrifugal microfluidics and describes recent developments in common biosensing methods and novel technologies for fluidic control and automation. Finally, an overview of current devices on the market is provided. This review will guide scientists who want to initiate research in LoaD PoC devices as well as providing valuable reference material to researchers active in the field.

Point-of-care diagnostics for infectious diseases: From methods to devices

“…LOAD devices displayed particular advantages of: 1) the liquids can be easily handled by centrifugal force via a low cost and controllable spinning motor; 2) can be easily applied for large-scale parallelization and multiplexing. But they are still limited by their relatively short shelf life, difficult on-board reagent storage, and are hard to deal with samples of very small volumes [492] , [493] , [494] , [495] . μ PADs are attractive POC devices that are very potential toward commercialization due to their low cost, easy fabrication and operation, no need of external pumps or power sources, and well compatibility.…”

“… Devices Pros Cons Refs. LOC devices High-throughput, multiplex and faster analysis, small sample volume, less power consumption and more efficient control and manipulation Difficulty of fabricating, packaging and interfacing, and difficulty of multiplexing [56] , [490] , [491] , [492] LOAD devices Low cost and easy control by centrifugal force, simple and independent liquid handling, large-scale parallelization and multiplexing Short shelf life, difficult on-board reagent storage, and hard to work with very small volumes [492] , [493] , [494] , [495] μ PADs devices Low cost, easy fabrication and operation, no need of external pumps or power sources, and well compatibility Lack of flow control, difficulty of multiplexing and multi-step assays, limited sensitivity, inability of instant response and repeatable use [386] , [496] , [497] Lateral flow devices Low cost, user-friendly, independent on equipment easy miniaturization and development Difficulty of achieving quantitative detection, limited multiplexing capability and throughput [421] , [498] , [499] Miniaturized PCR devices Accurate quantification, small sample and high sensitivity High production cost, expensive complex device [294] , [441] , [500] INAA devices Fast, simple device, and high sensitivity High requirements for the primers and expensive reagents [501] , [502] , [503] …”

Secure Air Traffic Control at the Hub of Multiplexing on the Centrifugo-Pneumatic Lab-on-a-Disc Platform

“…Towards multiplexing, the metric ΔΩ ̅̅̅̅ = ΔΩ max − min (21) rewards minimum use of band width ΔΩ (20) with respect to the available frequency envelope.…”

Siphon-Controlled Automation on a Lab-on-a-Disc Using Event-Triggered Dissolvable Film Valves

“…Particularly, such a device should meet the World Health Organization ASSURED criteria being Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-friendly, Rapid/Robust, Equipment-free, and Deliverable to end users. A technology platform that offers great potential to address the requirements of biomedical point-of-care testing is the centrifugal microfluidic platform, or lab-on-a-disc (LoaD) [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. The LoaD platform is often based on the geometric footprint similar to the 120-mm diameter Compact Disc™ (CD) or Digital Versatile Disc™ (DVD) common in optical data storage.…”