Novel AM technique cheaply fabricates rapid medical diagnostic tools

Researchers at Bristol say they have developed a fast, reliable and cost-effective process for producing the soft-lithographic moulds used for fabricating microfluidic devices. With channel dimensions approximately the width of a human hair, microfluidic devices underpin lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technologies that provide rapid diagnoses and effective treatment of many diseases at point of care.

“Previously, techniques for producing the soft-lithographic scaffolds/moulds (microfluidic channel patterns) were time-consuming and extremely expensive, while other low-cost alternatives were prone to unfavourable properties,” said lead author of the study, Dr Robert Hughes. “This development could put LOC prototyping into the hands of researchers and clinicians who know the challenges best, in particular those in resource-limited settings, where rapid diagnostics may often have the greatest impact.”

The University of Bristol technique employs off-the-shelf 3D printing technology to produce microchannel scaffolds with interconnecting ends that allow complex microfluidic systems can be quickly configured before it is embedded in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to produce an imprint of the microfluidic configuration. The resulting PDMS microchannels efficiently operated within the typical working pressures of commercial microfluidic devices, the study found.

“This technique is so simple, quick and cheap that devices can be fabricated using only everyday domestic or educational appliances and at a negligible cost – roughly 0.05% of cost of materials for a single microfluidic device,” said study co-author, Mr Harry Felton. “This means researchers and clinicians could use our technique and resources to help fabricate rapid medical diagnostic tools, quickly and cheaply, with minimal additional expertise or resources required.”
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