Companion diagnostic test using digital microfluidics

摘要

This paper reports an automated platform using a new digital microfluidic approach based on pneumatic actuation. The originality of this approach is in the use of a hyper-elastic material that allows the manipulation of a wide range of volumes from μl to several hundreds of μl in the same disposable device. Basic operations such as dispensing, mixing and dilution are successfully validated. These programmable operations are integrated in a fluidic cartridge and operated with simple pneumatic instrumentation working on low pressure (typically a few hundreds of mbar). Our technology is therefore suitable for the development of portable diagnostic assays that require relatively complex protocols that include multiple mixing steps. As an example of a suitable application, this paper describes the integration of a commercial diagnostic assay dedicated to monitoring the medication of patients suffering from a cardio-vascular condition.