Modeling Fluorescence Detection for Microfluidic Card

Abstract

Simple fluorescence detection system and disposable microfluidic card have been developed and tested. A blue LED, optical fiber, CCD detector, Mylar and PMMA, and fluorescein and BSA-FITC were used as an excitation source, waveguide, detector, microfluidic substrate, and sample, respectively. The results show the system can detect 0.01-1000 ng/ml of fluorescein solutions with linear response. A technique to avoid cross-talks between the adjacent channels in a multi-channel microfluidic card is also addressed. The test using BSA as a model analyte demonstrates its feasibility for on-chip biosensor applications. This prototype can be used as a platform to develop a compact bio-fluorescence sensor for microfluidic analysis systems.