Issue 19, 2016

Measurement of the hematocrit using paper-based microfluidic devices

Abstract

The quantification of blood cells provides critical information about a patient's health status. Sophisticated analytical equipment, such as hematology analyzers, have been developed to perform these measurements, but limited-resource settings often lack the infrastructure required to purchase, operate, and maintain instrumentation. To address these practical challenges, paper-based microfluidic devices have emerged as a platform to develop diagnostic assays specifically for use at the point-of-care. To date, paper-based microfluidic devices have been used broadly in diagnostic assays that apply immunoassay, clinical chemistry, and electrochemistry techniques. The analysis of cells, however, has been largely overlooked. In this communication, we demonstrate a paper-based microfluidic device that enables the controlled transport of red blood cells (RBCs) and the measurement of the hematocrit—the ratio of RBC packed cell volume to total volume of whole blood. The properties of paper, device treatment, and device geometry affect the overall extent and reproducibility of transport of RBCs. Ultimately, we developed an inexpensive (US$0.03 per device) thermometer-styled device where the distance traveled by RBCs is proportional to the hematocrit. These results provide a foundation for the design of paper-based microfluidic devices that enable the separation and detection of cells in limited-resource settings.

Graphical abstract: Measurement of the hematocrit using paper-based microfluidic devices

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
14 Jul 2016
Accepted
30 Aug 2016
First published
30 Aug 2016

Lab Chip, 2016,16, 3689-3694

Measurement of the hematocrit using paper-based microfluidic devices

S. B. Berry, S. C. Fernandes, A. Rajaratnam, N. S. DeChiara and C. R. Mace, Lab Chip, 2016, 16, 3689 DOI: 10.1039/C6LC00895J

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