Sensing of electrolytes in urine using a miniaturized paper-based device

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Point-of-Care Diagnostics

Background:

• Urine electrolyte analysis is crucial for diagnosing conditions like kidney disorders and urinary tract infections.
• Current monitoring methods can be inconvenient, limiting regular patient assessment.
• Integrating portable technology for electrolyte monitoring can empower informed health decisions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a paper-based sensor for quantifying multiple urine electrolytes.
• To enable accurate electrolyte measurement using a smartphone-enabled platform.
• To assess the sensor's utility across physiological concentration ranges.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a paper-based sensor array for electrolyte detection.
• Quantification of sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, and nitrite in urine samples.
• Utilization of a smartphone application for data acquisition and analysis.
• Validation using Tris buffer and artificial urine across varying electrolyte concentrations.

Main Results:

• The sensor accurately detected potassium, calcium, chloride, and nitrite within physiological ranges.
• The device demonstrated binary quantification of sodium concentration.
• Smartphone integration allowed for precise and convenient data interpretation.

Conclusions:

• The developed paper-based sensor, coupled with a smartphone platform, offers a promising tool for accessible urine electrolyte analysis.
• This technology can support early disease detection and facilitate personalized ion management.
• The system provides a foundation for advanced point-of-care diagnostic tools.