USB powered microfluidic paper‐based analytical devices

Abstract

Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) allow user-friendly and portable chemical determinations, although they provide limited applicability due to insufficient sensitivity. Several approaches have been proposed to address poor sensitivity in μPADs, but they frequently require bulky equipment for power and/or read-outs. Universal serial buses (USB) are an attractive alternative to less portable power sources and are currently available in many common electronic devices. Here, USB-powered μPADs (USB μPADs) are proposed as a fusion of both technologies to improve performance without adding instrumental complexity. Two ITP USB μPADs were developed, both powered by a 5 V potential provided through standard USB ports. The first device was fabricated using the origami approach. Its operation was analyzed experimentally and numerically, yielding a two-order-of-magnitude sample focusing in 15 min. The second ITP USB μPAD is a novel design, which was numerically prototyped with the aim of handling larger sample volumes. The reservoirs were moved away from the ITP channel and capillary action was used to drive the sample and electrolytes to the separation zone, predicting 25-fold sample focusing in 10 min. USB μPADs are expected to be adopted by minimally-trained personnel in sensitive areas like resource-limited settings, the point-of-care and in emergencies.

HIV detection from human serum with paper-based isotachophoretic RNA extraction and reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification

“…fluorophores, DNA, indicator dyes) from pure buffer systems. [24][25][26][27][28][29] Our group has developed an ITP µPAD with integrated whole blood fractionation and DNA extraction. 30 We have also demonstrated simultaneous DNA extraction with ITP and on-chip DNA amplification using recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA).…”

Recent Advances in Microfluidic Devices for Contamination Detection and Quality Inspection of Milk

“…Likewise, a stir bar coated with AuNPs and combined with a microchip device has been shown to be effective in restoring DNA multi-arm link recovery for signal transduction and amplification purposes in the rapid detection of antibiotics [ 64 ]. In addition, some microfluidic pre-concentration/amplification techniques have been applied to biological samples such as isotachophoresis (ITP) [ 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 ], ion concentration polarization (ICP) [ 127 , 128 , 129 , 130 , 131 , 132 ], electrokinetic stacking (EKS) [ 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 , 137 ], field amplification stacking (FAS) [ 138 , 139 , 140 , 141 ], and multiplex electroanalytical techniques [ 142 , 143 ]. Although it has not been applied to milk analysis, it is also an important reference for future research.…”

A free customizable tool for easy integration of microfluidics and smartphones

“…In the last decade, the integration of smartphones and microfluidic devices has been proposed 19 and explored in many directions, as described in a series of recently published review articles 20 – 22 . Smartphones offer many complementary advantages, like computing power, data storage, power sourcing, connectivity, a diversity of sensors, traceability, geolocation, the possibility of guiding the user throughout the test 23 , 24 , as well as control of the validity and quality of measurements, using specific apps (hereafter app will be used to mean software application , while application will be used to denote a specific field of use ). Even more, smartphones are a natural gateway for PONT to give place to complex IoT applications involving sensing, smart decision making and even actuation.…”