MICROFLUIDIC PAPER-BASED ANALYTICAL DEVICES (uPADS)

A Global Problem
Millions of people die every year from preventable diseases. Effective diagnosis of diseases is the first step towards an appropriate treatment.

Microfluidic PaperBased Analytical Devices (MicroPADs)

Fields of Application

ASSURED Diagnostic Tests

Affordable Sensitive Specific User-friendly Rapid and Robust Equipment-free Deliverable to end-users --World Health Organisation

Channels in Paper

Fabrication by Wax Printing

Advantages and Disadvantages of Wax Printing

Advantages
very simple and fast processes No Special treatment of paper Hydrophilic wax channel is not expose to polymers or solvent

Disadvantages
Extra heating step after deposition Expensive wax printer

Future Challenges
Alternative cheap materials: Paper alternative that performs better or allows more diversity Fabrication techniques: 3D paper- based microfluidics where lateral and vertical flow is possible. Novel signal displays: the use of enzymes on paper to display result in text.

Summary
MicroPADs are a new platform for ASSURED diagnostic tests MicroPADs: are simple to use Detect multiple analytes Are portable Are inexpensive Use small volumes of samples