Plasmonic sensors for point of care diagnostics

Modern device manufacturing aims to enable complete functionality with or without the use of minimal external accessories or equipment. Integrating multiple sensing platforms with electronic readers enables precise on-site and real-time diagnostics for various chemical and biological targets. Advancements in miniaturization, nanotechnology, microfluidics, and point-of-care (POC) diagnostic technologies are enabling the development of low-cost, user-friendly, and highly sensitive molecular diagnostics. The advancement of point-of-care testing technologies significantly improves daily life by offering valuable benefits, including those for portable electronic devices, personalized diagnostics, environmental monitoring, food safety, and traffic management. Plasmonic sensors are widely employed in biology, chemistry, and environmental monitoring, offering remarkable sensitivity through surface plasmon resonance (SPR) or localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effects. Integrating SPR into POC devices enables the high-sensitivity detection of disease-related molecules directly and label-free, using a portable and user-friendly device. Additionally, wireless communication technology provides unique sensor capabilities for preventive healthcare and continuous real-time monitoring of patients during disease outbreaks. The development of 3D printing technology has also greatly benefited the production and performance improvement of POC devices. This review examines recent advancements in POC technologies that integrate plasmonic sensors, including SPR, LSPR, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), colorimetry, and fluorimetry, highlighting how these innovations enhance the performance of POC platforms for diagnosing and monitoring human health. Furthermore, we address the challenges, future directions, and emerging trends in applying new technologies to POC diagnostics.