Microfluidic Point-of-Care Testing: Commercial Landscape and Future Directions.

Shivangi Sachdeva,Ronald W Davis,Amit K Saha

doi:10.3389/fbioe.2020.602659

Shivangi Sachdeva, Ronald W Davis + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2020.602659

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Abstract

Point-of-care testing (POCT) allows physicians to detect and diagnose diseases at or near the patient site, faster than conventional lab-based testing. The importance of POCT is considerably amplified in the trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Numerous point-of-care tests and diagnostic devices are available in the market including, but not limited to, glucose monitoring, pregnancy and infertility testing, infectious disease testing, cholesterol testing and cardiac markers. Integrating microfluidics in POCT allows fluid manipulation and detection in a singular device with minimal sample requirements. This review presents an overview of two technologies - (a.) Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) and (b.) Nucleic Acid Amplification - upon which a large chunk of microfluidic POCT diagnostics is based, some of their applications, and commercially available products. Apart from this, we also delve into other microfluidic-based diagnostics that currently dominate the in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) market, current testing landscape for COVID-19 and prospects of microfluidics in next generation diagnostics.

Highlights

Innovation in technology and emerging at-home diagnostic tests have played an important role in early disease detection, diagnosis and maintenance
Several studies have shown that use of Point-of-care testing” (POCT) diagnostics reduce overall per patient cost, length of stay in hospitals and provide faster results as compared to a traditional laboratory testing
These assays are classified into two types: (1.) Sandwich Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) and (2.) Competitive LFA (Estrela et al, 2016). (b.) Lateral flow nucleic acid tests, where DNA/RNA oligonucleotides or synthetically produced short single stranded DNA/RNA sequences called aptamers are used as biorecognition elements

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Innovation in technology and emerging at-home diagnostic tests have played an important role in early disease detection, diagnosis and maintenance. Due to its biocompatible properties with various substrates, lightweight, flexibility, low cost, hydrophilic nature, ease of use and availability, paper has become a popular substrate for microfluidic applications such as dipstick tests, Lateral Flow Assays (LFAs) and microfluidic analytical devices (μPADS) (Akyazi et al, 2018). Raw materials such as linen, jute, hemp, bamboo, sisal, grass, wood, cotton and straw are used to make paper (Yetisen et al, 2013).

Introduction

Serological Tests

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CONCLUSION