Integrating information technology (IT) and off-the-shelf consumerelectronics into paper-based analytical devices (PADs)

摘要

Paper-based analytical devices (PADs) have received great attention as nextgenerational point-of-care testing (POCT) tools1.Colorimetry is accepted as one of thesimplest detection methods and favourable for field use with untrained end-users.Additionally,it can be exploited for semi-quantitative assay with combining digitalcolour analysis of acquired image or naked eye detection of unique motifs for distance,counting or text-based readout1.However,these semi-quantitative assays havetroublesome problems limiting practical application,e.g.need of expensivemicropipette,long time to complete an assay,and ambiguous interpretation byuntrained operators.Although some researchers have made efforts to address thoseproblems,typically by using specially customised software (or App for smart devices)or hardware (accessary for image acquisition with smartphone camera),there is still asmall number of successful integrations of common platforms.