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Automated Droplet Ejection from a Digital Microfluidics Sample Pretreatment Device Enables Batch-Mode
Dezhi Huang1,2, Enqi Huang1, Dongyang Cai1,3
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510180, China.
Analytical Chemistry
|August 5, 2024
Summary
This study introduces a novel digital microfluidics (DMF) device with automated droplet ejection for enhanced sample pretreatment. This innovation streamlines bioanalysis by increasing throughput and enabling batch-mode operations.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Microfluidics
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Digital microfluidics (DMF) offers programmable fluid manipulation for sample pretreatment.
- Integrating DMF sample pretreatment with downstream detection is hindered by droplet transfer limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a modified DMF device enabling automated droplet ejection for seamless chip-to-world transfer.
- To enhance sample pretreatment workflows and improve bioanalytical throughput.
Main Methods:
- A double-layered DMF microchip with an oil-filled medium was designed with dedicated infusion and expulsion ports.
- Automated droplet ejection was demonstrated using chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) as an application.
- The system facilitated streamlined droplet microreactions and batch-mode operation.
Main Results:
- The modified DMF device successfully ejected CLIA droplets for external signal reading.
- The droplet ejection function freed electrodes for continuous sample pretreatment.
- The system achieved a throughput of 17 samples per hour per channel, with potential for parallelization.
Conclusions:
- The developed chip-to-world interface significantly improves analytical throughput in DMF systems.
- This innovation enables automated, decentralized biochemical sample preparation for large-scale bioanalysis.
- The study presents a viable approach for establishing efficient and scalable bioanalytical workstations.
