Search results
1 – 10 of over 1000Majid Monajjemi and Fatemeh Mollaamin
Recently, powerful instruments for biomedical engineering research studies, including disease modeling, drug designing and nano-drug delivering, have been extremely investigated…
Abstract
Purpose
Recently, powerful instruments for biomedical engineering research studies, including disease modeling, drug designing and nano-drug delivering, have been extremely investigated by researchers. Particularly, investigation in various microfluidics techniques and novel biomedical approaches for microfluidic-based substrate have progressed in recent years, and therefore, various cell culture platforms have been manufactured for these types of approaches. These microinstruments, known as tissue chip platforms, mimic in vivo living tissue and exhibit more physiologically similar vitro models of human tissues. Using lab-on-a-chip technologies in vitro cell culturing quickly caused in optimized systems of tissues compared to static culture. These chipsets prepare cell culture media to mimic physiological reactions and behaviors.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used the application of lab chip instruments as a versatile tool for point of health-care (PHC) applications, and the authors applied a current progress in various platforms toward biochip DNA sensors as an alternative to the general bio electrochemical sensors. Basically, optical sensing is related to the intercalation between glass surfaces containing biomolecules with fluorescence and, subsequently, its reflected light that arises from the characteristics of the chemical agents. Recently, various techniques using optical fiber have progressed significantly, and researchers apply highlighted remarks and future perspectives of these kinds of platforms for PHC applications.
Findings
The authors assembled several microfluidic chips through cell culture and immune-fluorescent, as well as using microscopy measurement and image analysis for RNA sequencing. By this work, several chip assemblies were fabricated, and the application of the fluidic routing mechanism enables us to provide chip-to-chip communication with a variety of tissue-on-a-chip. By lab-on-a-chip techniques, the authors exhibited that coating the cell membrane via poly-dopamine and collagen was the best cell membrane coating due to the monolayer growth and differentiation of the cell types during the differentiation period. The authors found the artificial membrane, through coating with Collagen-A, has improved the growth of mouse podocytes cells-5 compared with the fibronectin-coated membrane.
Originality/value
The authors could distinguish the differences across the patient cohort when they used a collagen-coated microfluidic chip. For instance, von Willebrand factor, a blood glycoprotein that promotes hemostasis, can be identified and measured through these type-coated microfluidic chips.
Details
Keywords
This paper aims to provide details of miniaturised analytical instrument technologies and developments.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide details of miniaturised analytical instrument technologies and developments.
Design/methodology/approach
Following an introduction and historical background, this first considers miniaturised chromatographs and spectrometers based on micro-electromechanical system (MEMS)/micro total analytical system technologies. It then discusses lab-on-a-chip developments with an emphasis on capillary electrophoresis. Developments in the emerging lab-on-paper technology are then considered and are followed by brief concluding comments.
Findings
This shows that many classes of analytical instruments which offer a number of operational and economic benefits have been miniaturised through the use of microfabrication and other technologies. They are an active field of research and are based on silicon, glass, polymers and even paper and are underpinned by developments in microfluidics and optofluidics and fabrication techniques which include lithography, MEMS and micro-opto-electromechanical system.
Originality/value
This provides an insight into the rapidly developing field of miniaturised analytical instrument technologies.
Details
Keywords
Fabio Mota, Luiza Amara Maciel Braga, Bernardo Pereira Pereira Cabral and Carlos Gilbert Conte Filho
Lab on-a-chip (LOC) may lead to low-cost point-of-care devices for the diagnosis of human diseases, possibly making laboratories dispensable. However, as it is still an emerging…
Abstract
Purpose
Lab on-a-chip (LOC) may lead to low-cost point-of-care devices for the diagnosis of human diseases, possibly making laboratories dispensable. However, as it is still an emerging technology, very little is known about its future impact on the diagnosis of human diseases, and on the laboratory industry. Hence, the purpose of this study is to foresee possible developments of this technology through a consultation with researchers in the field in two distinct time periods.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on Technology Foresight, this study addresses this gap by assessing the opinions of over five hundred LOC researchers and tracking changes in their views on the future of LOC diagnostic devices. These researchers participated in a two-wave global survey with an interval of two and a half years
Findings
Although second-wave (2020) respondents are less optimistic than those of the first wave (2017), the results of both surveys show that LOC diagnostic devices are expected to: move from proof-of-concept demonstrations to industrial development, becoming commercially feasible worldwide; integrate all laboratory processes, delivering cheaper, faster and more reliable diagnoses than laboratories; and provide low-cost point-of-care solutions, improving access to healthcare.
Research limitations/implications
Although it would be desirable to collect and explore the views of different sets of stakeholders, the method of generating lists of survey respondents shows a bias toward academic/scientific circles because the respondents are authors of scientific publications. These publications may as well be authored by stakeholders from other fields but it is reasonable to assume that most of them are researchers affiliated with universities and research and development organizations. Therefore, this study lacks in providing an image of the future based on a more diverse set of respondents.
Social implications
The results show that these devices are expected to radically change the diagnostic testing market and the way laboratories are organized, perhaps moving to a non-laboratory-based model. In conclusion, in the coming decades, these devices may promote substantial changes in the way human diseases are diagnosed.
Originality/value
Only a few studies have attempted to foresee the future of LOC devices, and most are based on literature reviews. Thus, this study goes beyond the existing research by providing a broad understanding of what the future will look like from the views of researchers who are contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the field. The researchers invited to take part in this study are authors of LOC-related scientific publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection.
Details
Keywords
Arvind Chandrasekaran and Muthukumaran Packirisamy
This paper proposes to examine a simple and cost‐effective method of integrating a reflector surface with a silicon‐based microfluidic channel for enhanced biosensing through the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper proposes to examine a simple and cost‐effective method of integrating a reflector surface with a silicon‐based microfluidic channel for enhanced biosensing through the method of fluorescence in a microfluidics and nanofluidics‐based lab‐on‐a‐chip device.
Design/methodology/approach
Herein, the reflector is integrated with silicon‐based microfluidic channels and fluorescence measurements were carried out using alexafluor 647 particles. Two types of microfluidic channel surfaces were used, with and without reflector integration, for the experiments.
Findings
The experimental results prove that the proposed technique of partial reflector integration within microfluidic or nanofluidic channel surfaces is highly suitable for fluorescence‐based detection of single molecules and low concentration fluorophore‐tagged receptors.
Originality/value
It is believed that this is a novel work of integrating a reflector with a microfluidic channel surface for fluorescence‐based biodetection. This method will be very useful for fluorescence‐based biosensors in detecting low concentration fluorophores and single molecules.
Details
Keywords
Abstract
Details
Keywords
Dennis Patrick Webb, Benedikt Knauf, Chanqing Liu, David Hutt and Paul Conway
Microfluidic or “lab‐on‐a‐chip” technology is seen as a key enabler in the rapidly expanding market for medical point‐of‐care and other kinds of portable diagnostic device. The…
Abstract
Purpose
Microfluidic or “lab‐on‐a‐chip” technology is seen as a key enabler in the rapidly expanding market for medical point‐of‐care and other kinds of portable diagnostic device. The purpose of this paper is to discuss two proposed packaging processes for large‐scale manufacture of microfluidic systems.
Design/methodology/approach
In the first packaging process, polymer overmoulding of a microfluidic chip is used to form a fluidic manifold integrated with the device in a single step. The anticipated advantages of the proposed method of packaging are ease of assembly and low part count. The second process involves the use of low‐frequency induction heating (LFIH) for the sealing of polymer microfluidics. The method requires no chamber, and provides fast and selective heating to the interface to be joined.
Findings
Initial work with glass microfluidics demonstrates feasibility for overmoulding through two separate sealing principles. One uses the overmould as a physical support structure and providing sealing using a compliant ferrule. The other relies on adhesion between the material of the overmould and the microfluidic device to provide a seal. As regards LFIH work on selection and structuring of susceptor materials is reported, together with analysis of the dimensions of the heat‐affected zone. Acrylic plates are joined using a thin (<10 μm) nickel susceptor providing a fluid seal that withstands a pressure of 590 kPa.
Originality/value
Microfluidic chips have until now been produced in relatively small numbers. To scale‐up from laboratory systems to the production volumes required for mass markets, packaging methods need to be adapted to mass manufacture.
Details
Keywords
Amir Asgharian, Reza Yadipour, Gholamreza Kiani and Hamed Baghban
The purpose of this study is to design a plasmonic structure that can be used simultaneously as a heater and a refractive index sensor applicable for heating and sensing cycles of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to design a plasmonic structure that can be used simultaneously as a heater and a refractive index sensor applicable for heating and sensing cycles of lab-on-chip (LOC).
Design/methodology/approach
The authors report on the full optical method applicable in the heating and sensing cycles of LOC based on the plasmonic nanostructure. The novelty of this proposed structure is due to the fact that a structure simultaneously acts as a heater and a sensor.
Findings
In terms of the performance of the proposed structure as an analyte detection sensor, in addition to the real-time measurement, there is no need to labeling the sample. In terms of the performance of the proposed structure as a plasmonic heater, the uniformity and speed of the heating and cooling cycles have been greatly improved. Also, there is no need for experts and laboratory conditions; therefore, our proposed method can meet the conditions of point of care testing.
Originality/value
The authors confirm that this work is original and has not been published elsewhere nor it is currently under consideration for publication elsewhere.
Details
Keywords
To describe the historical development of micro‐electromechanical system (MEMS) sensor technology, to consider its current use in physical, gas and chemical sensing and to…
Abstract
Purpose
To describe the historical development of micro‐electromechanical system (MEMS) sensor technology, to consider its current use in physical, gas and chemical sensing and to identify and discuss future technological trends and directions.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper identifies the early research which led to the development of MEMS sensors. It considers subsequent applications of MEMS to physical, gas and chemical sensing and discusses recent technological innovations.
Findings
This paper illustrates the greatly differing impacts exerted on physical, gas and chemical sensing by MEMS technology. More recent developments are discussed which suggest strong market prospects for MEMS devices with analytical capabilities such as microspectrometers, micro‐GCs, microfluidics, lab‐on‐a‐chip and BioMEMS. This view is supported by various market data and forecasts.
Originality/value
This paper provides a technical and commercial insight into the applications of MEMS technology to physical and molecular sensors from the 1960s to the present day. It also identifies high growth areas for innovative developments in the technology.
Details
Keywords
Lukas Fujcik, Roman Prokop, Jan Prasek, Jaromir Hubalek and Radimir Vrba
The purpose of this paper is to design and create a potentiostat that can be integrated and encapsulated within a microelectrode as a low‐cost electrochemical sensor. Recently…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to design and create a potentiostat that can be integrated and encapsulated within a microelectrode as a low‐cost electrochemical sensor. Recently, microsystems on sensors or lab on a chip using electrochemical detection of substances matters are pushing forward into the area of analysis. For providing electrochemical analysis, the microsystem has to be equipped with an integrated potentiostat.
Design/methodology/approach
The integrated potentiostat with four current ranges (from 1 μA to 1 mA) was designed in the CADENCE software environment using the AMIS CMOS 0.7 μm technology and fabricated under the Europractice program. Memory cells of 48 bytes are implemented with the potentiostat using VERILOG.
Findings
The characteristics of integrated potentiostat are strictly linear; the measured results confirm the simulated values. The potentiostat measurements error is about 1.5 percent and very low offsets are reached by the offset‐zeroing circuitry.
Research limitations/implications
The detection limit of the current at the lowest range with respect to S/N ratio is about 10 nA.
Practical implications
The integrated potentiostat is embedded on a screen‐printed sensor and its characteristics are successfully verified. Lower range of 100 nA can be implemented on a new microchip as well as rail‐to‐rail output circuitry would increase the voltage dynamic range.
Originality/value
The integrated potentiostat with very good parameters is designed for a wide spectrum of electrochemical applications such as lab on a chip, embedded electrochemical systems, etc. The integrated system enables storing of information about the system measured, for instance, calibration and fabrication data of the electrochemical sensor.
Details
Keywords
Keryn Lian, Shawn O'Rourke, Daniel Sadler, Claudia Gamboa, Robert Terbrueggen and Marc Chason
The purpose of this paper is to present the development of printed wiring board (PWB)‐based microfluidic building blocks and their integration into systems for DNA amplification…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the development of printed wiring board (PWB)‐based microfluidic building blocks and their integration into systems for DNA amplification and electronic detection.
Design/methodology/approach
Technologies from embedded passives (EP) and photolithographic high‐density interconnect are integrated into a traditional PWB platform to enable multifunctional electrochemical sensors for on‐chip detection of biological assays.
Findings
PWB materials and processes can be applied to develop microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and microfluidic systems. On‐chip heaters using EP have been demonstrated with excellent accuracy. The on‐chip heaters can be used for localized temperature control as well as heat air pumps. The integration of EP and microchannels is a promising approach to add functionalities to the PWB‐based microsystems.
Research limitations/implications
Further integration of microchannels with the embedded heaters and electrochemical sensors will increase the compactness, functionality, and value of the PWB‐based microfluidic systems.
Originality/value
The paper describes the development and integration of PWB‐based building‐blocks such as EP and microchannels for MEMS and microfluidic applications. These elements will enable new applications and enhanced functionalities of PWB.
Details