A self-heating, multi-channel slider cassette for innovative point-of-care molecular diagnostics from whole blood...

Rapid and accurate detection of blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) is essential for effective disease management, particularly in resource-limited settings. In this study, we introduce a self-heating, multi-channel slider cassette designed for point-of-care molecular diagnostics. This novel device integrates self-heating capabilities, enabling efficient nucleic acid extraction without requiring extensive preprocessing. The cassette features five reaction chambers, each preloaded with dried loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) reagents for simultaneous detection of multiple viral targets. The workflow includes on-chip lysis, nucleic acid isolation, and real-time fluorescence-based detection, ensuring high specificity and sensitivity. The system was validated using clinical plasma samples confirmed via reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), demonstrating 100% concordance with conventional molecular testing. Moreover, the cassette effectively distinguished viral loads, reinforcing its potential for quantitative molecular diagnostics. The combination of self-heating and multiplexing enhances diagnostic efficiency, making this platform a promising tool for rapid, accessible, and reliable point-of-care testing (POCT) applications in diverse healthcare settings.