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Multimaterial 3D Printed Fluidic Device for Measuring Pharmaceuticals in Biological Fluids
Feng Li1, Niall P Macdonald2,3, Rosanne M Guijt4
1Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science, School of Chemistry , University of Tasmania , Private Bag 75 , Hobart , Tasmania 7001 , Australia.
Analytical Chemistry
|December 5, 2018
Summary
Multimaterial 3D printing enables rapid fabrication of integrated microfluidic devices for pharmaceutical analysis. This technology allows for simultaneous sample extraction, concentration, and quantification in under 3 minutes, paving the way for low-cost diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Multimaterial 3D printing offers advanced capabilities for creating complex devices with integrated functionalities.
- Microfluidic devices are crucial for sample preparation and analysis, but often require complex fabrication and manual handling.
- The demand for rapid, low-cost diagnostic tools, particularly at the point-of-collection (POC), is increasing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, fully integrated microfluidic device using multimaterial 3D printing.
- To demonstrate the device's capability for simultaneous extraction, concentration, and electrophoretic separation of small molecule pharmaceuticals from urine.
- To enable rapid and quantitative analysis of pharmaceuticals in complex biological matrices.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a microfluidic device using a single, automated multimaterial 3D printing process.
- Integration of optically transparent structures, electrodes, and primary/secondary membranes within the device.
- On-chip simultaneous extraction, concentration, and electrophoretic separation of small molecule targets from urine.
- Quantitative analysis using fluorescence detection and electrophoresis.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated a 3D printed microfluidic device with integrated functionalities including optical transparency, electrodes, and selective membranes.
- Demonstrated simultaneous extraction and concentration of small molecule pharmaceuticals from untreated urine.
- Achieved direct quantification of ampicillin in urine within 3 minutes, down to 2 parts per million (ppm).
- Minimized manual handling due to high functional integration, enabling a sample-in/answer-out system.
Conclusions:
- Multimaterial 3D printing is a powerful technique for on-demand fabrication of disposable, functionally integrated microfluidic devices.
- The developed device shows significant potential for low-cost, rapid point-of-collection (POC) diagnostic applications.
- This approach facilitates streamlined analytical workflows for complex biological samples.
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