scholarly journals Anti-Counterfeit Technologies for Microfluidic “Lab-on-a-Disc” Systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens Ducrée
Keyword(s):  
Flow Control ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Online Database ◽  
Medical Products ◽  
Digital Twin ◽  
Economy Of Scale ◽  
Microfluidic Flow ◽  
Significant Damage ◽  
Hardware Encryption

Non-genuine medical products, including diagnostic devices, have become a lucrative business for fraudsters, causing significant damage to revenues and reputation of companies, as well as posing a significant risk to the health of people and societies. Along a “digital twin” representing centrifugal microfluidic flow control on exemplary “Lab-on-a-Disc” (LoaD) systems, a novel, two-pronged strategy to safeguard miniaturized point-of-care devices by means of secret features and manufacturing challenges is outlined; such “hardware encryption” is flexibly programmed for each chip during production, and deciphered from a secure, local or online database at the time of use. This way, unlicensed copying may be efficiently deterred by an unfavourable economy-of-scale, even in absence of legal prosecution.

scholarly journals Secure Air Traffic Control at the Hub of Multiplexing on the Centrifugo-Pneumatic Lab-on-a-Disc Platform

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens Ducrée
Keyword(s):  
Flow Control ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
Efficient Design ◽  
Frequency Space ◽  
Digital Twin ◽  
Algorithmic Optimization ◽  
Point Of Use

Fluidic larger-scale integration (LSI) resides at the heart of comprehensive sample-to-answer automation and parallelization of assay panels for frequent and ubiquitous bioanalytical testing in decentralized the point-of-use / point-of-care settings. This paper develops a novel “digital twin” strategy with an emphasis on rotational, centrifugo-pneumatic flow control. The underlying model systematically connects retention rates of rotationally actuated valves as a key element of LSI to experimental input parameters; for the first time, the concept of band widths in frequency space as the decisive quantity characterizing operationally robustness is introduced, a set of quantitative performance metrics guiding algorithmic optimization of disc layouts is defined, and the engineering principles of advanced, logical flow control and timing are elucidated. Overall, the digital twin enables efficient design for automating multiplexed bioassay protocols on such “Lab-on-a-Disc” (LoaD) systems featuring high packing density, reliability, configurability, modularity and manufacturability to eventually minimize cost, time and risk of development and production.

scholarly journals Secure Air Traffic Control at the Hub of Multiplexing on the Centrifugo-Pneumatic Lab-on-a-Disc Platform

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens Ducrée
Keyword(s):  
Flow Control ◽  
Packing Density ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Air Traffic Control ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Digital Twin ◽  
Fabrication Cost ◽  
Point Of Use ◽  
Scale Integration

Larger-scale integration (LSI) resides at the heart of comprehensive sample-to-answer automation and parallelisation of assay panels for frequent and ubiquitous bioanalytical testing in decentralised the point-of-use / point-of-care settings. With an emphasis on rotational, centrifugo-pneumatic flow control, this paper employs a virtual “digital twin” strategy, considering experimental tolerances, to efficiently design such “Lab-on-a-Disc” systems featuring high packing density, reliability, configurability, modularity, manufacturability, performance while minimizing development and fabrication cost.

scholarly journals Secure Air Traffic Control at the Hub of Multiplexing on the Centrifugo-Pneumatic Lab-On-a-Disc Platform

Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 700
Author(s):  
Jens Ducrée
Keyword(s):  
Flow Control ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
Efficient Design ◽  
Frequency Space ◽  
Digital Twin ◽  
Algorithmic Optimization ◽  
Point Of Use

Fluidic larger-scale integration (LSI) resides at the heart of comprehensive sample-to-answer automation and parallelization of assay panels for frequent and ubiquitous bioanalytical testing in decentralized point-of-use/point-of-care settings. This paper develops a novel “digital twin” strategy with an emphasis on rotational, centrifugo-pneumatic flow control. The underlying model systematically connects retention rates of rotationally actuated valves as a key element of LSI to experimental input parameters; for the first time, the concept of band widths in frequency space as the decisive quantity characterizing operational robustness is introduced, a set of quantitative performance metrics guiding algorithmic optimization of disc layouts is defined, and the engineering principles of advanced, logical flow control and timing are elucidated. Overall, the digital twin enables efficient design for automating multiplexed bioassay protocols on such “Lab-on-a-Disc” (LoaD) systems featuring high packing density, reliability, configurability, modularity, and manufacturability to eventually minimize cost, time, and risk of development and production.

scholarly journals Design Optimization of Centrifugal Microfluidic “Lab-on-a-Disc” Systems towards Fluidic Larger-Scale Integration

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 5839
Author(s):  
Jens Ducrée
Keyword(s):  
Design Optimization ◽  
Retention Rate ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Operational Reliability ◽  
Band Width ◽  
Disc Space ◽  
Laboratory Unit ◽  
Digital Twin ◽  
Point Of Use ◽  
Scale Integration

Enhancing the degree of functional multiplexing while assuring operational reliability and manufacturability at competitive costs are crucial ingredients for enabling comprehensive sample-to-answer automation, e.g., for use in common, decentralized “Point-of-Care” or “Point-of-Use” scenarios. This paper demonstrates a model-based “digital twin” approach, which efficiently supports the algorithmic design optimization of exemplary centrifugo-pneumatic (CP) dissolvable-film (DF) siphon valves toward larger-scale integration (LSI) of well-established “Lab-on-a-Disc” (LoaD) systems. Obviously, the spatial footprint of the valves and their upstream laboratory unit operations (LUOs) have to fit, at a given radial position prescribed by its occurrence in the assay protocol, into the locally accessible disc space. At the same time, the retention rate of a rotationally actuated CP-DF siphon valve and, most challengingly, its band width related to unavoidable tolerances of experimental input parameters need to slot into a defined interval of the practically allowed frequency envelope. To accomplish particular design goals, a set of parametrized metrics is defined, which are to be met within their practical boundaries while (numerically) minimizing the band width in the frequency domain. While each LSI scenario needs to be addressed individually on the basis of the digital twin, a suite of qualitative design rules and instructive showcases structures are presented.

scholarly journals 460. Point-of-Care, In-Home SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody Testing to Assess Seroprevalence in At-Risk Health Care Workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S297-S297
Author(s):  
Eric G Meissner ◽  
Christine Litwin ◽  
Tricia Crocker ◽  
Elizabeth Mack ◽  
Lauren Card
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Documented Infection ◽  
Inconclusive Result ◽  
Care Workers

Abstract Background Health care workers are at significant risk for infection with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Methods We utilized a point-of-care, lateral flow SARS-CoV-2 IgG immunoassay (RayBiotech) to conduct a seroprevalence study in a cohort of at-risk health care workers (n=339) and normal-risk controls (n=100) employed at an academic medical center. To minimize exposure risk while conducting the study, consents were performed electronically, tests were mailed and then self-administered at home using finger stick blood, and subjects uploaded a picture of the test result while answering an electronic questionnaire. We also validated the assay using de-identified serum samples from patients with PCR-proven SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results Between April 14th and May 6th 2020, 439 subjects were enrolled. Subjects were 68% female, 93% white, and most were physicians (38%) and nurses (27%). In addition, 37% had at least 1 respiratory symptom in the prior month, 34% had cared for a patient with known SARS-CoV-2 infection, 57% and 23% were worried about exposure at work or in the community, respectively, and 5 reported prior documented SARS-CoV-2 infection. On initial testing, 3 subjects had a positive IgG test, 336 had a negative test, and 87 had an inconclusive result. Of those with an inconclusive result who conducted a repeat test (85%), 96% had a negative result. All 3 positive IgG tests were in subjects reporting prior documented infection. Laboratory validation showed that of those with PCR-proven infection more than 13 days prior, 23/30 were IgG positive (76% sensitivity), whereas 1/26 with a negative prior PCR test were seropositive (95% specificity). Repeat longitudinal serologic testing every 30 days for up to 4 times is currently in progress. Conclusion We conducted a contact-free study in the setting of a pandemic to assess SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in an at-risk group of health care workers. The only subjects found to be IgG positive were those with prior documented infection, even though a substantial proportion of subjects reported significant potential occupational or community exposure and symptoms that were potentially compatible with SARS-COV-2 infection. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Microfluidic-Based Electrochemical Immunosensing of Ferritin

Biosensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayank Garg ◽  
Martin Christensen ◽  
Alexander Iles ◽  
Amit Sharma ◽  
Suman Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrochemical Detection ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Current Method ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
Flow Cell ◽  
The Body ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Functionalized Graphene Oxide ◽  
Microfluidic Flow ◽  
Sensitivity And Selectivity

Ferritin is a clinically important biomarker which reflects the state of iron in the body and is directly involved with anemia. Current methods available for ferritin estimation are generally not portable or they do not provide a fast response. To combat these issues, an attempt was made for lab-on-a-chip-based electrochemical detection of ferritin, developed with an integrated electrochemically active screen-printed electrode (SPE), combining nanotechnology, microfluidics, and electrochemistry. The SPE surface was modified with amine-functionalized graphene oxide to facilitate the binding of ferritin antibodies on the electrode surface. The functionalized SPE was embedded in the microfluidic flow cell with a simple magnetic clamping mechanism to allow continuous electrochemical detection of ferritin. Ferritin detection was accomplished via cyclic voltammetry with a dynamic linear range from 7.81 to 500 ng·mL−1 and an LOD of 0.413 ng·mL−1. The sensor performance was verified with spiked human serum samples. Furthermore, the sensor was validated by comparing its response with the response of the conventional ELISA method. The current method of microfluidic flow cell-based electrochemical ferritin detection demonstrated promising sensitivity and selectivity. This confirmed the plausibility of using the reported technique in point-of-care testing applications at a much faster rate than conventional techniques.

scholarly journals Phase-selective graphene oxide membranes for advanced microfluidic flow control

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Gaughran ◽  
David Boyle ◽  
James Murphy ◽  
Robert Kelly ◽  
Jens Ducrée
Keyword(s):  
Graphene Oxide ◽  
Flow Control ◽  
Microfluidic Flow ◽  
Oxide Membranes ◽  
Graphene Oxide Membranes

The Kosova landslide, Bosnia and Herzegovina

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 523-529
Author(s):  
M. G. Winter ◽  
S. J. Reeves ◽  
S. Smajlović ◽  
G. Ghataora ◽  
D. Šehić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bosnia And Herzegovina ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Landslide Dam ◽  
Building Damage ◽  
Landslide Risk ◽  
Main Road ◽  
Slide Mass ◽  
Risk Management Process ◽  
Significant Damage ◽  
Republika Srpska

The Kosova landslide is located in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This large translational landslide caused significant damage to the main road, located in the toe area, and to buildings on the slide mass during its most recent movement in May 2014. In this Photographic Feature the landslide and the associated building damage are illustrated and the authors’ views on future investigation and monitoring are expressed. It seems clear that the landslide has the potential to dam the Bosna River and to create significant risk associated with the hazards of flooding and subsequent landslide dam burst. As the river forms the border between the Federation and the Republika Srpska, the governance of the landslide risk management process is also a major issue that will need to be resolved. It is clear that a significant amount of work is required on the Kosova landslide and this Photographic Feature has been prepared to highlight the main issues, including building damage, and risks related to the landslide and to provide a very brief introduction to those who may visit it in the future.

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