Diagnostic Lab-on-a-Chip System Based on Fluorescence Imaging and Integrating Sample Preparation

In this contribution we describe a microfluidic chip combining plasma separation, sample metering, dissolution/incubation with reagents stored on-chip and optical detection. The system allows defining the incubation time and works under constant externally applied pressure using only passive valves for actuation. This allowed the realization of a bioanalytical device for whole blood samples comprising a disposable plastic chip using TIRF (total internal reflection fluorescence) based optical detection of biochemical binding events.