A paper-based potentiometric cell for decentralized monitoring of Li levels in whole blood

Toward practical application of paper-based microfluidics for medical diagnostics: state-of-the-art and challenges

Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) have emerged as a promising diagnostic platform a decade ago. In contrast to highly active academic developments, their entry into real-life applications is still very limited. This discrepancy is attributed to the gap between research developments and their practical utility, particularly in the aspects of operational simplicity, long-term stability of devices, and associated equipment. On the basis of these backgrounds, this review attempts to: 1) identify the reasons for success of paper-based devices already in the market, 2) describe the current status and remaining issues of μPADs in terms of operational complexity, signal interpretation approaches, and storage stability, and 3) discuss the possibility of mass production based on established manufacturing technologies. Finally, the state-of-the-art in commercialisation of μPADs is discussed, and the "upgrades" required from a laboratory-based prototype to an end user device are demonstrated on a specific example.

Integrated, paper-based potentiometric electronic tongue for the analysis of beer and wine

The following manuscript details the stages of construction of a novel paper-based electronic tongue with an integrated Ag/AgCl reference, which can operate using a minimal amount of sample (40 μL). First, we optimized the fabrication procedure of silver electrodes, testing a set of different methodologies (electroless plating, use of silver nanoparticles and commercial silver paints). Later a novel, integrated electronic tongue system was assembled with the use of readily available materials such as paper, wax, lamination sheets, bleach etc. New system was thoroughly characterized and the ion-selective potentiometric sensors presented performance close to theoretical. An electronic tongue, composed of electrodes sensitive to sodium, calcium, ammonia and a cross-sensitive, anion-selective electrode was used to analyze 34 beer samples (12 types, 19 brands). This system was able to discriminate beers from different brands, and types, indicate presence of stabilizers and antioxidants, dyes or even unmalted cereals and carbohydrates added to the fermentation wort. Samples could be classified by type of fermentation (low, high) and system was able to predict pH and in part also alcohol content of tested beers. In the next step sample volume was minimalized by the use of paper sample pads and measurement in flow conditions. In order to test the impact of this advancement a four electrode system, with cross-sensitive (anion-selective, cation-selective, Ca(2+)/Mg(2+), K(+)/Na(+)) electrodes was applied for the analysis of 11 types of wine (4 types of grapes, red/white, 3 countries). Proposed matrix was able to group wines produced from different varieties of grapes (Chardonnay, Americanas, Malbec, Merlot) using only 40 μL of sample. Apart from that, storage stability studies were performed using a multimeter, therefore showing that not only fabrication but also detection can be accomplished by means of off-the-shelf components. This manuscript not only describes new paper-based, potentiometric sensors but also according to our knowledge is the first description of an electrochemical paper-based electronic tongue with integrated reference.

Paper-based plasticizer-free sodium ion-selective sensor with camera phone as a detector

An ionophore-based ion-selective optode platform on paper is described for the first time with a sodium optode as the example. Cellulose paper is shown to be an excellent substrate for adsorption of the required chromoionophore, ionophore, and ion-exchanger species. These adsorbed components form a hydrophobic phase that enables heterogeneous optical ion sensing in the absence of any plasticizer or organic polymer phase.

Measurement of Total Antioxidant Capacity in Sub-μL Blood Samples Using Craft Paper-based Analytical Devices

Antioxidants play a role in counteracting free radicals and reactive oxygen species and are thought to help prevent or slow the progression of many chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. Herein we report a simple way to make a colorimetric assay for measuring total antioxidant capacity (TAC) on craft paper-based analytical devices (cPADs) suitable for sub-μL volume blood samples. We incorporated a microfluidic separation mechanism for isolation of plasma from interfering blood cells. The whole diagnostic process, including cPAD construction, plasma sample preparation, assay, and image thresholding analysis, can be completed in fifteen minutes. We applied our approach toward the measurement of TAC in mice that model Huntington's disease (HD), a fatal, neurodegenerative movement disorder. Results revealed that TAC was significantly elevated in R6/2 HD model mice compared to their age-matched wild-type (WT) controls. We expect that this method, carrying a simple, fast, and sensitive assay on low-cost and disposable paper, will meet the potential needs for point-of-care (POC) testing of TAC, as well as other disease biomarkers in blood and other types of bodily fluids where limited volumes of samples are obtainable.

Paper-based potentiometric ion sensing

This paper describes the design and fabrication of ion-sensing electrochemical paper-based analytical devices (EPADs) in which a miniaturized paper reference electrode is integrated with a small ion-selective paper electrode (ISPE) for potentiometric measurements. Ion-sensing EPADs use printed wax barriers to define electrochemical sample and reference zones. Single-layer EPADs for sensing of chloride ions include wax-defined sample and reference zones that each incorporate a Ag/AgCl electrode. In EPADs developed for other electrolytes (potassium, sodium, and calcium ions), a PVC-based ion-selective membrane is added to separate the sample zone from a paper indicator electrode. After the addition of a small volume (less than 10 μL) of sample and reference solutions to different zones, ion-sensing EPADs exhibit a linear response, over 3 orders of magnitude, in ranges of electrolyte concentrations that are relevant to a variety of applications, with a slope close to the theoretical value (59.2/z mV). Ion-selective EPADs provide a portable, inexpensive, and disposable way of measuring concentrations of electrolyte ions in aqueous solutions.