Accurate point-of-care lotus biomimetic microfluidic urine testing platform for patients with chronic kidney disease

Abstract

Improving outcomes of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) caused by glomerulonephritis needs regular home urine monitoring. Here we present an accurate, fast and easy-to-operate home urine analyzer using lotus leaf bionic structure for patients with CKD. Bottom of the gradient channel is consisting of bionic micro/nano structure similar with the surface of the lotus leaf. These microstructures can make the viscous resistance of the liquid in the channel greatly reduced, allowing the liquid to be transported spontaneously and directionally under the action of gravity, thus achieving the pump-free directional transport of sample. Urine albumin (UA) concentration, urine turbidity (UT) and urine color (UC), of the sample are obtained by capturing the image of the sample and conducting gradient RGB differential analysis. Historical data storage and cloud data interconnection can assist doctors in diagnosing patient conditions. The limit of detection (LOD) of albumin reaches 4.3 mg/L, which allows accurate diagnosis of microproteinuria. Personalized medical advice is provided by combining the acquired parameters with hospital. 40 samples were tested, the accuracy of the diagnosis results of albuminuria, hydration status and turbidity are 90 %, 92.5 % and 90 % respectively. It can be predicted that this low-cost, flexible and convenient urine detection device for CKD patients at home will inspire more home detection devices in the future.