Three-dimensional paper-based slip device for one-step point-of-care testing

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Infectious Disease Diagnostics

Background:

• Human norovirus is a leading cause of gastroenteritis globally, necessitating rapid and accessible diagnostic tools.
• Current point-of-care (POC) tests often face limitations in fluidic manipulation, sensitivity, and ease of use, particularly in resource-scarce regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel three-dimensional (3D) slip paper-based analytical device (PAD) for sensitive and user-friendly detection of infectious human norovirus.
• To overcome the limitations of existing POC diagnostic methods for norovirus through innovative device design and fluidic control.

Main Methods:

• Development of a 3D slip-PAD utilizing layered, wax-patterned papers to create a unique fluidic network for sequential reagent delivery.
• Implementation of a single-step assay with a movable slip design for simplified operation by unskilled users.
• Integration of enhancement reagents for improved sensitivity and a reduced limit of detection.

Main Results:

• The 3D slip-PAD facilitates sequential fluid delivery and reagent mixing without external equipment.
• Assay results are visually detectable within 10 minutes, with signal amplification up to 60 minutes.
• The device demonstrates high sensitivity with a detection limit of 9.5 × 10^4 copies/mL for human norovirus and a broad dynamic range.

Conclusions:

• The 3D slip-PAD is a highly sensitive and versatile diagnostic tool for human norovirus detection.
• Its user-friendly design and effectiveness in resource-limited settings make it suitable for global POC healthcare applications.
• This technology offers a promising advancement in infectious disease diagnostics for improved public health outcomes.