The Lab-on-PCB framework for affordable, electronic-based point-of-care diagnostics: From design to manufacturing

A novel, Lab-on-Printed Circuit Board (LoPCB) manufacturing technology is demonstrated for the development of low-cost electrochemical biosensors combined with microfluidics for Point-of-Care (PoC) applications. An analysis of the developed PCB architecture is presented, detailing the three development areas of the proposed LoPCB platform, i.e. microfluidics, biosensors and electronics. Design rules and potential fabrication limitations are also discussed, based on the characterization of prototype fabricated systems. Two PCB-based devices have been designed and fabricated, a microfluidic active diluter with a variable and actively controlled dilution ratio and an electrochemical biosensor. The obtained results demonstrate the feasibility of a complete LoPCB platform, where all three compartments will co-exist and co-operate, providing an electronic-based PoC system for electrochemical biosensing.