Building Highly Precise Microfluidic Devices with State-of-the-Art Digital Laser Technologies
With the advent of more cost-effective manufacturing techniques, microfluidic devices are being used as diagnostic tools to test small medical, food, or environmental samples. These devices measure blood samples, electrolytes (e.g., sodium and potassium), and arrays measuring hematocrit/hemoglobin, blood gases, coagulation, drug screening, and cardiac markers. These portable devices make many "in the field" applications possible. They are at the forefront of point-of-care testing, allowing patients with chronic medical conditions to monitor themselves at home.
POINT OF CARE DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS
Point-of-care diagnostic tools have become an attractive investment sector of healthcare in recent years. The draw is the instant readout of results from a combination of assays/reagents with the bodily fluid in an office environment. The process allows manipulation of fluidics through micron level channels; this provides the conduct of several tests using small quantities of bodily fluid quickly. Behind these exciting developments are the readers and microfluidic cartridges.
MICROFLUIDIC CARTRIDGES
Microfluidic cartridges are card-like components that, depending on the design, may act as (1) a metering or transportation device for the fluids or (2) perform function #1 plus serve as the reservoir of the assays or reagents. Some cartridges are energized with low voltages, and some simply use capillary action. The components of cartridges have evolved from silica to optically clear medical-grade plastics. The choice of material for microfluidics cartridges is predicated on the reagents' properties and effective inherent design parameters from the specific reader for the cartridge.
MANUFACTURING AND CONVERTING CAPABILITIES
EIS can design and manufacture lids, covers, and adhesive interfaces for microtiter plates with 96, 384, 1536 wells and custom-designed diagnostic disposables. In addition, we manufacture the following microfluidic consumables and components:
- Specific layers for biosensors
- Integrated consumables for lab-on-chip application
- Hydrophilic fluid transport technologies
- Membranes
- Custom microfluidic channels and structures
We offer an extensive range of medical converting capabilities. Design engineers, combined with state-of-the-art precision automated laser systems, can build highly precise medical device components, including microfluidic devices. Our engineering experts can produce parts with:
- Laser-cut feature tolerances as small as 100 µm or (0.004")
- Fixed beam etchings focused down to 70 um
- Position features tolerances as low as 50 µm (or 0.002")
- Microfluidic channels as narrow as 125 µm (or 0.005"), positioned within a tolerance of 50 µm (or 0.002")
CLEAN ROOM ABILITY
We offer Class 10,000 cleanroom manufacturing of sensitive microfluidic devices to ensure noncontaminated production, assembly, and packaging.