Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Additionally, quartz crystal microbalances (QCM) can provide an electrical
signal when molecules bind to their surface via the piezoelectric effect. Recent
advances have led to the detection of the following biomarkers using QCMs;
immunoglobulin E [
123
] CRP [
51
], and prostate specific antigen [
108
]. Combined
with the fluid handling abilities of microfluidic systems, QCM may provide highly
sensitive label-free signals of target analytes for future POC devices [
78
].
7 Future Goals and Perspectives
We have presented the latest developments in microfluidic technology for
molecular diagnostics. Currently, the main goal for microfluidics is to combine the
steps required for isolation and detection of the target analyte(s). This full inte-
gration on a single chip is still difficult to achieve due to the high complexity of the
sample to be analysed (e.g. blood), which also differs from patient to patient.
Continued research will be maintained through the funding provided from public
and private sources, and there are also a number of companies who have turned
microfluidic technology into commercial products aimed at POC diagnostics (see a
recent review by Chin et al. [
15
]).
To date, there have been very few reports of field testing of microfluidic
devices. If microfluidic technology is to provide a solution for global health care, it
is up to researchers to provide thorough testing of future devices and demonstrate
their robust operation in the field. The same is true for home-testing diagnostic
devices. Furthermore, cheap and easy-to-use readout and periphery instruments,
such as the camera of a mobile phone and simple readout software, will allow
untrained operators to use the devices. A broader acceptance will only be suc-
cessful if medical doctors are already involved in the research at the early
developmental stage.
Microfluidics technology can also address the challenges of personalised
medicine, which will continue to grow in the future as the average age of the
population in the developing world increases. In this case, microfluidics provides a
promising perspective as the diagnostic functions of a microchip could be com-
bined with the therapeutic consequences. Here, the diagnostic result would be
transferred into the delivery of an optimised drug combination, which could be
administered by the same microfluidic device. Although the main applications
differ from the devices aimed at low resource settings, they share many of the same
goals, such as successful patient trials and feedback, which will need to be
achieved before effective integration into the healthcare system.
Based on the innovations presented here and those we will see in the next few
years, it is expected that microfluidic diagnostics will have an impact on global
healthcare in the future.
