ABSTRACT
Currently, fluid analysis is the fundamental tool in the diagnosis of disease. The present approach is to procure samples and transfer them to a clinical laboratory for analysis. Between the measurement and subsequent analysis lies a time lag with potential for mishandling of the samples. Consequently, there is a need for a continuous bedside instrument for blood analysis [1], especially for patients with diabetes or on kidney dialysis. In the future, clinical diagnostics may lead to more responsive monitoring systems for genetic disorders or physical/mental ailments. The development of these monitoring systems is directly dependent on emerging sensor technologies and their ability to perform in complex environments. The ultimate medical diagnostic sensor will be a universal sensor that can use a patient’s breath and/or external fluids to instantly diagnose disease. Sensor technologies provide a means to create the next generation of diagnostic instruments. The need for smaller and more multiplexed sensor designs has had an impact on major technological advances in nanoelectronics [2-6], cellular analysis [7,8], electrochemistry [9-14], genomics-related detection devices [1522], molecular recognition [23-25], immunochemistry [26,27], combinatorial drug design [28], food quality [29-31], and organic vapor detection [32-37].
