ABSTRACT
Centrifugal microfluidics, a subcategory of the field of microfluidics, utilizes centrifugal forces on rotating platforms to drive fluids within embedded fluidic networks. These rotating platforms are typically made in the form of a compact disk (CD) (i.e., 120 mm in diameter and 2 to 4 mm in thickness). The fluidic networks on these disks are designed to perform specific fluidic operational sequences for biological or chemical analyses that replicate standard benchtop biological and chemical tests. It is desirable to have microfluidic platforms that are capable of performing a complete “sample-to-answer” analysis starting from the sample preparation, advancing through all the necessary intermediate steps (clarification, mixing, amplification, etc.), and ending with the detection of an analyte in the sample. The goal is to develop and perform different assays on CDs in a fully automated fashion with minimal participation by the user. In an ideal sample-to-answer system, the user loads samples/reagents into a device and reads out the test results at the end. In addition, other requirements for these centrifugal microfluidic platforms include low production cost, ease of manufacturability, high reliability, and portability.
