Magnetohydrodynamic-based Laboratories on a Chip

描述（由申请人提供）：在这个二期项目中，Vegrandis， LLC提议开发一种基于磁流体动力学（MHD）的“进样出样”生物检测芯片，用于卵巢癌的诊断。拟议的生物检测芯片将使用MHD微流体泵送样品和执行检测所需的试剂，并将集成一组卵巢癌生物标志物的微电化学检测，以提供定量结果。在第一阶段展示了一种新的MHD微流体方法，克服了以前的气泡形成和电极寿命短的限制，同时保留了该方法在微流体中的关键优势。MHD微流体具有广泛的功能，与各种材料和溶剂兼容，并具有几种独特的功能。第一阶段所展示的MHD微流体的一项关键能力是沿着封闭路径（例如环形环路）泵送流体的能力。这种能力将在第二阶段被利用来实现密封的生物测定芯片，除了一个自密封的样品导入端口外，没有外部流体连接。集成的、独立的微电化学检测方法将用于最大限度地减少假阳性和假阴性，并将为治疗监测提供重要的定量结果。MHD微流体和微电化学检测的结合为生物分子分析提供了一个独特的平台。对于点护理诊断应用，最小的样品处理步骤和最大的自动化是典型的基本特征，建议的系统应该优于。对于提出的具体应用，生物检测芯片将使用分包合作伙伴新开发的一组生物标志物，可以在早期可靠地检测所有主要卵巢肿瘤类型。还将开发一种适用于护理点使用的手持式分析仪。提出的生物测定芯片和分析仪将在不到30分钟内提供结果。这种新的卵巢癌生物测定法有可能成为与宫颈癌的巴氏试验相当的常规年度检查的一部分，将在卵巢癌仍处于早期阶段时提供诊断。早期干预不仅会大大增加卵巢癌的生存机会，而且还将允许应用不那么激烈的治疗程序，从而提高癌症幸存者的生活质量。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In this Phase II project, Vegrandis, LLC proposes to develop a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) microfluidic based "sample-in, answer-out" bioassay chip for diagnosis of ovarian cancer. The proposed bioassay chip will use MHD microfluidics to pump the sample and reagents necessary to perform the assay and will have integrated micro-electrochemical detection of a panel of ovarian cancer biomarkers to provide quantitative results. A new approach to MHD microfluidics was demonstrated in Phase I to overcome previous limitations of bubble formation and short electrode life while retaining the key advantages of this approach to microfluidics. MHD microfluidics has a wide range of functionality, is compatible with a wide range of materials and solvents, and has several unique capabilities. One (1) key capability of MHD microfluidics which was demonstrated in Phase I is the ability to pump fluids along closed paths (e.g. a toroidal loop). This capability will be utilized in Phase II to realize the sealed bioassay chip with no external fluidic connections other than a self-sealing sample introduction port. An integrated, self-contained micro-electrochemical detection approach will be used to minimize false positives and false negatives and will provide quantitative results important for treatment monitoring. Together, the combination of MHD microfluidics and micro-electrochemical detection offer a unique platform for biomolecular analysis. For point-of-care diagnostic applications where minimum sample handling steps and maximum automation are typically essential features, the proposed system should excel. For the specific application proposed, the bioassay chip will use a newly developed panel of biomarkers from a subcontracted partner that can reliably detect all major ovarian tumor types in their early stage. A handheld analyzer instrument suitable for point-of-care use will also be developed. The proposed bioassay chip and analyzer will provide results in less than 30 minutes. This new ovarian cancer bioassay has the potential to become equivalent to the Pap test for cervical cancer as part of routine annual examinations that will provide for diagnosis of ovarian cancer while it is still in an early stage. Early intervention will not only dramatically increase the chances of surviving ovarian cancer, but will also allow application of less drastic treatment procedures and thereby improve the quality of life of the cancer survivor.