FrameQR®-code-embedded Paper Sensors: One-click Screening Solution to Analyze Colorimetric Output and On-chip Test and Patient Information

Abstract

Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (microPADs) have significantly strengthened telehealth services by providing on-site disease biomarker screening, with the additional provision of colorimetric output quantification by image analysis applications. The analyte quantification results can be stored or shared in a centralized database accessible to healthcare professionals for disease analysis and e-prescription. However, to automatically share on-device test and patient details to a distant centralized database, it is necessary to upgrade the current microPAD format. To enhance the readability of microPADs, we have proposed laser-printed FrameQR ® -code-coupled microPADs (FrameQR ® -PADs) to add on-chip information. The canvas area of FrameQR ® -PADs was used to design microchannels, while channel barriers were made hydrophobic using wax printing. This modified sensor was used for screening of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) from human serum samples, wherein the colorimetric output was scanned using a smartphone to compute the pixel intensity of images using ImageJ. By designing an integrated smartphone application to scan both on-chip and colorimetric information, FrameQR ® -PADs can overcome the limitation of manual test labeling associated with traditionally designed microPADs and support the use of proposed assays in telehealth settings by adding the feature of online storage of patient and test details at a centralized location accessible to healthcare professionals.

Development of an image-based fluorometer with smartphone control for paper analytical devices

“…Methods based on PAD are rapid, portable, and simple, being applied to a variety of samples. 1,2 These characteristics have made PAD a valuable tool for in situ analysis, particularly for clinical, 3,4 environmental, 5 and drug-related studies. 6 In general, the detection of analytes in a PAD avoids special equipment and can be performed without the facilities of an analytical chemistry laboratory, due to its intrinsic compactness and simplicity.…”

“…Methods based on PAD are rapid, portable, and simple, being applied to a variety of samples. 1,2 These characteristics have made PAD a valuable tool for in situ analysis, particularly for clinical, 3,4 environmental, 5 and drug-related studies. 6…”