Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America.
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computing Systems, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America.
PLoS One. 2019 Jan 16;14(1):e0210286. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210286. eCollection 2019.
Insurmountable detection challenges will impede the development of many of the next-generation of lab-on-a-chip devices (e.g., point-of-care and real-time health monitors). Here we present the first membrane-based, microfluidic sample preconcentration method that is continuous, quantifiable, simple, and capable of working with any analyte. Forward osmosis rapidly concentrates analytes by removing water from a stream of sample fluid. 10-100X preconcentration is possible in mere minutes. This requires careful selection of the semi-permeable membrane and draw molecule; therefore, the osmosis performance of several classes of membranes and draw molecules were systematically optimized. Proof-of-concept preconcentration devices were characterized based on their concentration ability and fouling resistance. In-silico theoretical modeling predicts the experimental findings and provides an engineering toolkit for future designs. With this toolkit, inexpensive ready-for-manufacturing prototypes were also developed. These devices provide broad-spectrum detection improvements across many analytes and sensing modalities, enabling next-generation lab-on-a-chip devices.
不可逾越的检测挑战将阻碍许多下一代片上实验室设备（例如，即时护理和实时健康监测器）的发展。在这里，我们提出了第一个基于膜的微流控样品预浓缩方法，该方法连续、可量化、简单，并且可以与任何分析物一起使用。正向渗透通过从样品流中除去水来快速浓缩分析物。仅需几分钟即可实现 10-100 倍的预浓缩。这需要仔细选择半透膜和汲取分子；因此，对几类膜和汲取分子的渗透性能进行了系统优化。基于浓缩能力和抗污染性对概念验证预浓缩装置进行了表征。计算机理论模型预测了实验结果，并为未来的设计提供了工程工具包。使用该工具包，还开发了廉价的、可随时制造的原型。这些设备在许多分析物和传感模式下都提供了广谱检测改进，使下一代片上实验室设备成为可能。
