Lab on chip for medical and clinical applications

Abstract

Lab-on-a-chip (LoC) devices represent systems where microfluidics converges with state-of-the-art technologies, playing an immense role in reshaping clinical and biomedical sciences. This review deeply explores the design principles and diverse applications of LoC devices, ranging from point-of-care diagnostics to entire human-on-a-chip devices. Notably, LoC devices showcase remarkable adaptability and versatility. While LoC devices offer many advantages over conventional laboratory assessment methodologies including small sample size, reduced assay time and cost-effectiveness, the field faces many challenges in terms of designing, standardizing and large-scale production of the devices. In the end, while shedding light on how LoC devices stand at the forefront of the innovative technologies in the field of clinical and biomedical sciences, the review also emphasizes on their applications and integration with state-of-the-art technologies like AI and machine learning, along with their limitations and the further necessary developments for their widespread acceptance.