Applications of electrowetting-based digital microfluidics in clinical diagnostics

Abstract

Digital microfluidics based on electrowetting is a type of microfluidic platform in which liquids are processed as individual unit-sized droplets that are dispensed from a source, merged together, split apart or transported between locations on demand. These devices are implemented using arrays of surface electrodes to control the shape and position of droplets through the electrowetting effect. A major thrust of digital microfluidics research has been the development of integrated lab-on-a-chip devices to perform clinical in vitro diagnostic assays. A variety of preparatory and analytical processes have been implemented and feasibility has been demonstrated for test types ranging from clinical chemistries to immunoassays, nucleic acid tests and cell-based assays. In this article, the current state and future potential of digital microfluidics for clinical diagnostic testing is reviewed and evaluated.

Keywords::

• clinical diagnostics
• digital microfluidics
• droplet microfluidics
• electrowetting
• lab-on-a-chip

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors are all employees and shareholders of Advanced Liquid Logic, Inc. Advanced Liquid Logic has a proprietary position with respect to the technology discussed here and has a financial interest in its commercialization. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.