Cotton threads encapsulated by thermal contraction tube for point-of-care diagnostics

Abstract

Passive microfluidic devices based on capillary force are popular choices for point-of-care diagnostics. Paper, threads and cloth have been used to fabricate these microfluidic devices. Here, we introduced a novel method for packaging microfluidic thread-based analytical devices (μTADs) by encapsulating cotton threads in thermal contraction tubes. This package method can help to increase convenience during practice. At first, we investigate the influence of this package method on the capillary flow behavior and water absorption capacity of cotton threads. Then, we show the possibility of this package method in preparing μTADs with complex shapes. Lastly, we successfully use μTADs based on this package method for applications in point-of-care diagnostics including glucose detection in urine, fibrinogen detection in blood plasma, and plasma separation from whole blood samples and hematocrit (HCT) measurement. The package method is promising in expanding the applications of μTADs in point-of-care diagnostics.