A cartridge based Point-of-Care device for complete blood count

Abstract

We demonstrate a proprietary lab-on-chip/μ TAS technology platform for a regulatory grade portable instrument for complete blood count (CBC) hematology tests including 3 part differential WBCs, RBCs, platelet and hemoglobin for rapid diagnostics at the point of care in resource-poor settings. Presently, diagnostics based on blood tests are confined to centralized laboratory settings, dependent on large footprint and expensive cytometers or on a microscope, requiring trained laboratory technicians. Consequently, such facilities are not present in rural and semi-urban settings, where there are opportunities and challenges in delivering efficient healthcare infrastructure at an affordable cost in resource-challenged environments. Our proposed design leverages advances in microfluidics and lab-on-chip fabrication techniques to miniaturize the conventional cytometer and bring down the cost significantly. The device can be operated autonomously, without skilled manpower, by primary healthcare professionals in the field and by patients (like glucose self-test devices). The instrument consists of a single-use chip, the size of a credit card, pre-loaded with reagents, in which the sample is loaded, and which is fluidically insulated from the environment. The controller, the size of a toaster, performs the necessary fluid handling and the impedance measurements to deliver the results in minutes.