The multiplex system for allergen screening from CSEM, including a microfluidic platform and a custom readout system, aims to detect allergen-specific antibodies in patient serum using fluorescent markers. The device is a portable tool for measuring specific IgE-mediated fluorescence responses in serum samples, indicating the likelihood of an allergic response to multiple allergens deposited on the microfluidic chip. The portable optical reader is compatible with the slide-shaped fluidic chips, herein consisting of multi-allergens microarray. It is a portable, low-cost, and fully automated solution to tackle the rising incidences of allergies and sensitivities.
Features:
- Miniaturized tool (20x smaller than commercial reader solution)
- Cost-effective (40x lower considering current components)
- Automated data analysis (user-friendly software and interface)
- Multiplexed and custom allergen deposition
Instructions
At the core of this advancement lies the portable system that can be easily used in a doctor’s office to allow the real-time analysis of the key allergens identified during the project. The process unfolds as follows:
- Sample collection: A small amount of the patient’s blood (merely 80 mL required) is collected and serum extracted.
- Sample injection: The small blood serum volume is injected into a single-use microfluidic microscopy slide using an automated incubator system. The incubator also serves to introduce detection antibodies.
- Rapid results: The slide is inserted into the portable CSEM-HEDIMED reader, delivering results indicating the presence or absence of an allergic reaction within seconds. The reader is equipped with user-friendly software to control the device and automatically quantify allergic responses.
Read more about the tool here: https://www.hedimed.eu/novel-technologies-used-in-hedimed-portable-allergy-testing
