Ergonomic handheld chip: An instrument-free RPA-CRISPR platform for rapid home self-testing

Global outbreaks of viral infectious diseases underscore the urgent need for low-cost, instrument-free, and user-friendly molecular testing platforms suitable for decentralized or at-home settings. Here, we present an ergonomically actuated handheld microfluidic chip (EHC) that unifies mechanical, biochemical, and intelligent modules into a complete "sample-to-result" workflow. Inspired by whip-like arm motion, a single swing generates transient acceleration (a_max = 277 m/s²) to propel reagents through Tesla-valve-guided metering chambers and dissolvable films, enabling sequential RPA-CRISPR reactions without any external pumps, heaters, or power sources. In clinical validation for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) detection, the platform achieved a limit of detection of 10^-18 M, 100 % specificity, and 97 % overall accuracy across 52 samples. The smartphone-acquired fluorescence images, when analyzed by the deep learning model, achieved 100 % concordance with manually labeled results for both HPV-16 and HPV-18. With an estimated cost of US $1.70 per assay, this platform provides a practical solution for at-home molecular testing and holds significant potential to strengthen epidemic early-warning systems and enhance the responsiveness of public health emergency management.