SmartHEALTH: a microfluidic multisensor platform for POC cancer diagnostics

A universal microfluidic platform as a multisensor device for cancer diagnostics, developed within the framework of the EU project SmartHEALTH [1], will be presented. Based on a standardization concept, a microfluidic platform was realized that contains various functional modules in order to allow in its final setup to run a complete diagnostic assay on a chip starting with sample preparation to a final detection via a sensor array. A twofold concept was pursued for the development and standardization: On the one hand, a standard footprint with defined areas for special functional elements was chosen, on the other hand a toolbox-approach [2] was used whereas in a first instance different functional fluidic modules were realized, evaluated and afterwards integrated into the microfluidic multisensor platform. One main characteristic of the platform is that different kind of sensors can be used with the same fluidic chip. For the read-out and fluidic control of the chip, common fluidic interfaces to the instrument were defined. This microfluidic consumable is a hybrid system consisting of a polymer component with an integrated sensor, reagent storage on chip, integrated valves and metering elements.