Functional screen printed radio frequency identification tags on flexible substrates, facilitating low-cost and integrated point-of-care diagnostics

Abstract

This work explores the practical functionality of ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID) tags screen printed onto various low-cost, flexible substrates. The need for integrated and automated low-cost point-of-care diagnostic solutions has driven the development of automated sensing and connectivity for implementation with these devices. This work explores wireless communication for paper-based point-of-care diagnostic solutions through screen printing of UHF RFID tags onto various low-cost and flexible substrates. Manual screen printing and assembly of RFID sensor integrated circuit packages and UHF RFID dipole antennas onto various substrates was performed and the practical functionality of these tags was assessed. Print quality including parameters such as resistance, roughness and print thickness are reported to illustrate the effect of the substrate on the printed result. Practical read range measurements are presented for the various tags in passive and active modes, as well as with a load connected, for different tag orientations. Results showed that the tags are adequate for clinical requirements with read ranges of at least 75 mm achieved in passive mode across the different substrates. Our results indicate that a variety of low-cost substrates can be utilized as different packaging and label options for paper-based diagnostic tests. This work presents the feasibility of implementing such devices towards low-cost, integrated point-of-care diagnostics, using straightforward fabrication techniques and realistic testing environments to illustrate the possibilities.

REASSURED diagnostics to inform disease control strategies, strengthen health systems and improve patient outcomes

“…However, one of the main challenges to POC testing is ensuring 87 ). Other manufacturers have developed innovative connectivity solutions that can use mobile phones to read the results from lateral flow assays and provide electronic result exchange, while a third option would be to include connectivity directly onto the test 88 . Ideally, connectivity should not only include collection and transmission of test data, but also analysis to provide feedback for immediate patient treatment or for surveillance.…”

Integrated Electrochemical Biosensors for Detection of Waterborne Pathogens in Low-Resource Settings

“…Taking devices to Zimbabwe for pilot study use, they have demonstrated it is possible to significantly increase the turnaround time of external assessment testing in remote parts of Africa [85]. An option for handheld PoC devices has been presented by Smith et al whereby a lateral flow assay device is integrated with data specific tags for picture-based data connectivity (see Figure 7) [86]. Environmental awareness is an issue that began in the early 7 th century [87] and has become a central issue in modern-day society, science, and politics [88].…”

“…Research into miniaturization of device design and reagent volume requirements will further environmental friendliness in the future. Furthermore, recent advances in paper-based sensing may provide a suitable platform for biomarker detection in the near future [47,84,86].…”

“…A to B and C to D show the longest path over which resistance measurements are made for each antenna arm, while E to F and G to H show the centre paths over which resistance is measured. (Re-printed from Smith et al[86]. Copyright (2018), with permission from IOP Publishing Ltd.).…”

Wireless colorimetric readout to enable resource-limited point-of-care

“…40 The SL900A (AMS, Austria) provides an attractive integrated circuit (IC) solution, with a variety of on-board sensing capabilities, thereby negating the need for additional complex circuitry. Previous printed component development on which this work is based includes the printing of RFID tags with the SL900A onto different flexible substrates, 41 as well as example applications of SL900A RFID tags, including fluidic sensing and temperature readout. 42,43 The passive low-cost reader device is sufficiently low in cost as it can be disposed of after several tens to hundreds of uses, without the need for maintenance.…”