Lab-on-a-chip technology and microfluidic diagnostic devices often rely on complex mechanical or electrical systems to manipulate fluid, making them costly and bulky. These components may limit portability, decrease operational lifetime, and prevent widespread use by untrained personnel or patients at the point of care or at home. Many existing systems require precise handling and specialized training to manipulate liquid reagents for timing and mixing. As a result, the potential of microfluidic diagnostics remains constrained by usability, cost, and accessibility challenges.

 

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a user-actuated valve system that can be used with disposable microfluidic cartridges for efficient point-of-care fluid processing. This innovative design features a base and actuator controlled by the user, that manipulates fluid flow within a microfluidic cartridge, enabling simple directional control of samples without pneumatic or electrical components. It is designed for use by untrained personnel, facilitating point-of-care diagnostic testing by routing samples to the appropriate reaction chambers, with haptic feedback conveyed to the user.

 

This novel technology provides user-friendly, cost-effective, and equipment-free valve actuation designed to improve microfluidic point-of-care diagnostic devices.