title: Versatile lock and key assembly for optical measurements with microfluidic platforms and cartridges.
abstract: A novel and versatile optical reader for microfluidic platforms is presented. The reader includes a modular insertion port based on the lock and key concept for reproducible alignment with a miniaturized optical detection system comprising an interchangeable light emitting diode (LED) and a photodiode. The modular nature of the insertion port allows the use of microfluidic platforms in variable shapes and fluidic configurations. Three different analytical methodologies based on absorbance or fluorescence measurements were used to demonstrate the flexibility and reproducibility of the proposed experimental setup.
authors.affiliation: Sensors & Biosensors Group, Department of Chemistry, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici Cn , 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: Oriol
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ymbern
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berenguel-Alonso
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Calvo-López
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gómez-de Pedro
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Izquierdo
authors.forename: Julián
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alonso-Chamarro
mesh_terms: D003124:Colorimetry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005470:Fluorometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*