Polymeric-Based In Vitro Diagnostic Devices

Abstract

Lab-on-a-chip (LOC) systems have been a key component of current in vitro diagnostics (IVD) research activity. Such systems usually employ specific flow patterns and create nanoliter-scale space for fluidic manipulation or biomedical interaction and signal sensing. The intrinsic features of LOC systems are low consumption of reagents and sample, compactness of device, multifunctional integration, and rapid analysis turnaround time, all of which make LOC systems a natural fit for IVD test systems. Versatile LOC technologies such as easy sample preparation, highly efficient separation, low-cost device fabrication, and highly sensitive and specific systematic detection have been broadly adopted for IVD systems with approaches based on different material sciences as well as various biomedical interactions and associative recognitions. In the design of point-of-care (POC) systems, the substrate material used to fabricate the device is the first thing to take into consideration. The material properties have to be compatible with all the chemicals used and the applied temperatures, and the material must support/not interfere with the biochemical interactions or the integrated functional components. In addition, the effects of cell behavior, DNA and protein adsorption, and the functionality of the integrated components are also critical as they relate to target analytes and detection platforms used. In regard to commercialization, the material should also be inexpensive and compatible with mass production microfabrication methods. Among substrate materials, polymeric materials have been identified as a good alternative to conventional analytical materials or microfabrication substrates, such as glass and silicon, owing to their mechanical flexibility, lightweight, mass fabrication capacity, low cost, and multiple chemical/physical properties based on different grades. Among the innovative technologies for IVD applications, in this chapter, the use of a variety of polymeric materials is introduced, PDMS and COP are mainly focused, and their rapid prototyping methods as well as versatile, cost-effective, and commercially available products are described.