Fluid Waveguides For Microfluidic Flow Cytometry

描述（由申请人提供）：该阶段I SBIR申请提出使用新型流体-流体波导技术作为片上流式细胞术技术的基础。我们已经表明，折射率不匹配的流体可用于创建动态波导，这些指南可用于量化的核心流体内包含的颗粒的浓度。我们建议通过执行集成芯片上的活化血小板计数来证明该技术的可行性和优势。这项拟议的应用程序作为一个尖锐的说明，这项技术的潜力，作为一个护理点的生物医学诊断工具。这项建议的具体目标是： 1)配置单细胞检测灵敏度的流动条件和光学器件。我们相信，该技术的灵敏度极限将使单个细胞或颗粒的检测和计数成为可能。 2)将这种新型的片上波导技术与Metafluidics现有的专业知识相结合， 微尺度流体和细胞处理以进行单步全血测定。这一目标的成功将通过对标准化活化血小板计数方案的验证来量化。 第一阶段的成功将为该技术在第二阶段的成熟奠定基础，这将产生一种永久性硬件，几乎可以使用用于任何测定的定制盒。这将产生一种独特的仪器，可广泛用作重点诊断工具或平台研究辅助工具。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This Phase I SBIR application proposes the use of novel fluid-fluid waveguiding techniques as the basis of an on-chip flow cytometry technology. We have shown that refractive index-mismatched fluids may be used to create dynamic waveguides and that these guides may be used to quantify the concentration of particulates contained within the core fluid. We propose to demonstrate the feasibility and advantages of this technology by performing integrated on-chip activated platelet counts. This proposed application serves as a poignant illustration of this technology's potential as a point of care biomedical diagnostic tool. The specific aims of this proposal are to: 1) To configure flow conditions and optics for single cell detection sensitivity. We believe that the sensitivity limit of this technique will enable the detection and counting of individual cells or particles. 2) To combine this novel on-chip waveguiding technique with Metafluidics' existing expertise in microscale fluid and cell handling to perform a single-step whole blood assay. Success of this aim will be quantified through validation against standardized activated platelet counting protocols. Phase I success will set the stage for the maturation of this technology during Phase II, which will result in a piece of permanent hardware with which customized cartridges for virtually any assay may be used. This will produce a unique instrument that is broadly applicable as a focused diagnostic tool or a platform research aid.