Lab-on-chip technology for chronic disease diagnosis

Abstract

Various types of chronic diseases (CD) are the leading causes of disability and death worldwide. While those diseases are chronic in nature, accurate and timely clinical decision making is critically required. Current diagnosis procedures are often lengthy and costly, which present a major bottleneck for effective CD healthcare. Rapid, reliable and low-cost diagnostic tools at point-of-care (PoC) are therefore on high demand. Owing to miniaturization, lab-on-chip (LoC) technology has high potential to enable improved biomedical applications in terms of low-cost, high-throughput, ease-of-operation and analysis. In this direction, research toward developing new LoC-based PoC systems for CD diagnosis is fast growing into an emerging area. Some studies in this area began to incorporate digital and mobile technologies. Here we review the recent developments of this area with the focus on chronic respiratory diseases (CRD), diabetes, and chronic kidney diseases (CKD). We conclude by discussing the challenges, opportunities and future perspectives of this field.

Advancement in Analytical and Bioanalytical Techniques as a Boon to Medical Sciences

“…LoC technology has a high potential to enable improved biomedical applications [49,50]. In this regard, research toward developing new LoC-based PoC systems for CD diagnosis is fast growing into a nascent area such as chronic respiratory diseases (CRD), diabetes, and chronic kidney diseases (CKD) [51].…”

New Tools for Dengue Diagnostics

“…Lab-on-chip (LoC) technology allows the real-time detection of target analyte by integrating multiple laboratory process (such as biological sample preparation, processing, and analyzing) on a microprocessor chip into a completely automated and controlled analytical device [52][53][54]. Usually, LoC exploit the microfluidic platform owing to its ability to handle very small volume of bodily fluid, less than pico-liters, in micrometer scale channels with dimensions of tens to hundreds of micrometers [55,56]. In addition, LoC based on microfluidics offers several other advantages such as miniaturization, short assay time, portability, userfriendly, and amenable for multiple detections of target analytes [57,58].…”

Digitalisation of Development and Supply Networks: Sequential and Platform-Driven Innovations

“…Microfluidic devices can reduce reagent consumption, allow well controlled mixing and particle manipulation, integrate and automate multiple assays (known as 'lab-on-a-chip'), and facilitate imaging and tracking" (Nature, 2018). With current diagnosis procedures often being time-consuming and costly, 'miniaturisation' has enabled improved biomedical applications in terms of cost reduction, high-throughput, ease-of-operation and analysis (Wu et al, 2018). In terms of future business models, we also use the case to explore the rise in strategic importance of biologics in the pharmaceutical sector (Waltz, 2014; see also Appendix B), specifically, 'smart' materials and emerging capabilities that support a broad spectrum of bioanalytical assay formats targeting proteins, nucleic acids and cells (e.g., Burger et al, 2015; Nwankire et al, Saez et al, 2018).…”

“…In addition, some 'Lab-on-a-Chip' studies have begun to incorporate digital and mobile technologies (Wu et al, 2018) in developing smarter digital supply chain concepts to interact with customers throughout the entire product lifecycle (Harrington and Burge, 2018). The goal for developing this reference facility is an entirely digitalised and virtual approach to the design and launch of new products.…”