Chapter 5
The Centrifugal Microfluidic: Lab-on-a-Disc
Platform
Brian Henderson, David J. Kinahan, and Jens Ducre ́e
1 Introduction
Over the past decades microfluidics has proved its game-changing potential where
biomedical diagnostics are performed [ 1 , 2 ]. The field of research focuses on
so-called‘Lab-on-a-Chip’or‘Micro Total Analysis Systems’(μTAS) that manip-
ulate and analyse fluid on the microscale. These devices integrate the labour
intensive operations of a specific laboratory diagnostic exam onto a chip of the
typical size of a credit card. The method offers significant reduction of reagent
volumes, reaction times and human intervention through on-chip automation
[ 3 ]. Since the adaptation of microfluidics towards the biological sciences there
has been a surge of interest in the evolution of these two complimentary fields;
leading to the adaptation of a huge array of bioanalytical assays onto microfluidic
platforms. One of the most promising areas of research in the field of microfluidics
is the development of Point of Care (POC) diagnostic devices that are simple to use,
cost efficient, fast and effective. By now different modes of operation such as
continuous flow, batch-wise discrete volumes and droplet-based liquid handling
have been implemented. A range of integrated microfluidic platforms have been
developed including passively driven systems propelled by capillary action and
paper imbibition, alongside pneumatically, peristaltically, and electrokinetically
actuated platforms. This chapter introduces the centrifugal microfluidic “Lab on a
Disc” platform [ 4 ].
B. Henderson • D.J. Kinahan (*) • J. Ducre ́e
Biomedical Diagnostics Institute, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
e-mail:[email protected]
©Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016
C.K. Dixit, A. Kaushik (eds.),Microfluidics for Biologists,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-40036-5_5
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