Multi-Metal Chip for Point-of-Care Monitoring in Children

描述（由申请人提供）：本申请旨在开发一种“多金属芯片”，该芯片将有助于快速准确地测量儿童血液中金属浓度，包括锰（Mn），锌（Zn），镉（Cd）和铅（Pb）。全血分析是确定金属接触和评估健康结果的最常用方法，但从儿童身上采集样本面临多重挑战，包括父母和儿童的同意，以及献血的能力（特别是在需要重复测量的研究中）。该应用程序旨在通过展示一种“芯片实验室”传感器来改变目前的模式，该传感器能够对少量血液样本（单次刺穿2滴）进行快速分析（5-10分钟）。我们建议通过实现以下具体目标来开发该系统，用于全血中Mn， Zn， Cd和Pb的高灵敏度测量：1)开发一种芯片实验室传感器，用于全血中快速，即时多金属分析；2)进行现场测试并确定多金属传感器用于测量居住在锰铁精炼厂附近的儿童血液金属浓度的适用性。我们的方法是将阳极溶出伏安法与我们在芯片实验室和微流体方面的深厚专业知识相结合。我们由工程师、化学家和环境健康专家组成的多学科团队已经朝着开发这种设备迈出了第一步。我们已经通过试点测试证明了传感器的可行性，现在准备全面开发用于护理点应用的传感器系统。这项研究的独特之处在于对儿童友好的要求，只需滴血进行分析，成本低（一次性），能够进行多次血液测量，以及它在大型诊所，职业和研究环境中的潜在应用，例如国家儿童研究和国家健康与营养检查调查。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application seeks to develop a "multi-metal chip" that will facilitate rapid and accurate point- of-care measurement of blood metal concentration, including manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in children. Whole blood analysis is the most common method for determining metal exposure and assessment of health outcomes, yet sample collection from children poses multiple challenges, including parent consent and child assent, and the ability to give blood (especially in studies that require repeated measurements). This application aims to transform the current paradigm by demonstrating a "laboratory-in-a-chip" sensor capable of rapid analysis (5-10min) on small blood samples (2 drops from a single lancet puncture). We propose to develop this system for highly sensitive measurement of Mn, Zn, Cd, and Pb in whole blood by accomplishing the following specific aims: 1) develop a lab-on-a-chip sensor for a rapid, point-of-care multi-metal analysis in whole blood, and 2) conduct a field test and determine the applicability of the multi-metal sensor for measuring blood metal concentration in children residing near a ferromanganese refinery. Our approach will be to integrate anodic stripping voltammetry with our deep expertise in lab-on-a-chip and microfluidics. Our multidisciplinary team of engineers, chemists, and environmental health has taken the first steps towards developing such a device. We have demonstrated feasibility of the sensor through pilot tests, and are now poised to fully develop the sensor system for point-of-care application. The uniqueness of this study is the child-friendly requirement of only drops of blood for analysis, low- cost (disposable), ability to conduct multiple blood measurements, and its potential use in large- scale clinic, occupational and research settings, such as the National Children's Study and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This application seeks to develop a "laboratory-in-a-chip" sensor for rapid and accurate point-of- care measurement of metals (manganese, zinc, cadmium, and lead) blood. Whole blood analysis is the most common method for determining metal exposure and assessment of health outcomes, yet sample collection from children is highly problematic. The uniqueness of this study is the child-friendly requirement of only drops of blood for analysis, low-cost, ability to conduct multiple blood measurements, and potential use in large-scale clinic, occupational and research settings.