An inkjet printed, roll-coated digital microfluidic device for inexpensive, miniaturized diagnostic assays. Issue 23 (1st November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dixon, Christopher; Ng, Alphonsus H. C.; Fobel, Ryan; Miltenburg, Mark B.; Wheeler, Aaron R.
• Is Part Of: Lab on a chip. Volume 16:Issue 23(2016)
• Page Start: 4560
• Page End: 4568
• Publication Date: 2016-11-01
• Subjects: Miniature electronic equipment -- Periodicals; Combinatorial chemistry -- Periodicals; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; 543.0813
• DOI: 10.1039/c6lc01064d
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-0197

Abstract

Abstract : Inkjet printing is combined with roll-coating to fabricate digital microfluidic (DMF) devices outside of the cleanroom for inexpensive, miniaturized diagnostic assays, with straightforward scalability towards mass production. Abstract : The diagnosis of infectious disease is typically carried out at the point-of-care (POC) using the lateral flow assay (LFA). While cost-effective and portable, LFAs often lack the clinical sensitivity and specificity required for accurate diagnoses. In response to this challenge, we introduce a new digital microfluidic (DMF) platform fabricated using a custom inkjet printing and roll-coating process that is scalable to mass production. The performance of the new devices is on par with that of traditional DMF devices fabricated in a cleanroom, with a materials cost for the new devices of only US $0.63 per device. To evaluate the usefulness of the new platform, we performed a 13-step rubella virus (RV) IgG immunoassay on the inkjet printed, roll-coated devices, which yielded a limit of detection of 0.02 IU mL −1, well below the diagnostic cut-off of 10 IU mL −1 for RV infection and immunity. We propose that this represents a breakthrough for DMF, lowering the costs to a level such that the new platforms will be an attractive alternative to LFAs for the diagnosis of infectious disease at the POC.