title: Quantifying colorimetric assays in paper-based microfluidic devices by measuring the transmission of light through paper.
abstract: This article describes a point-of-care (POC) system--comprising a microfluidic, paper-based analytical device (micro-PAD) and a hand-held optical colorimeter--for quantifying the concentration of analytes in biological fluids. The micro-PAD runs colorimetric assays, and consists of paper that has been (i) patterned to expose isolated regions of hydrophilic zones and (ii) wet with an index-matching fluid (e.g., vegetable oil) that is applied using a disposable, plastic sleeve encasement. Measuring transmittance through paper represents a new method of quantitative detection that expands the potential functionality of micro-PADs. This prototype transmittance colorimeter is inexpensive, rugged, and fully self-contained, and thus potentially attractive for use in resource-limited environments and developing countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
authors.forename: Audrey K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Ellerbee
authors.forename: Scott T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Adam C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Siegel
authors.forename: Katherine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Mirica
authors.forename: Andres W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Striehl
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: Mara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prentiss
authors.forename: George M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Whitesides
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D019963:Clinical Chemistry Tests / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D003124:Colorimetry / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010209:Paper; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins