By producing microfluidic devices with reagents integrated right into your device, you can improve usability and minimize complexity for end users. Furthermore, you can develop simpler instrument designs more suitable for large-scale industrial manufacturing. The reagents will be dispensed into the microstructures of the device with passive and/or actively-driven microfluidic functions for a wide range of assay applications. By containing the reagents with the chip, the potential for contamination is drastically reduced and shelf life can be extended. Integrated reagents also allow for automated devices to be produced at high-throughput volumes. TE’s IVD Solutions team adds value by optimizing reagent integration needs for point-of-care and lab-on-a-chip applications.

Reagent integration in lab-on-a-chip systems (LOC) is achieved through the use of various reagent mediums and loading formats. Spotting is the process of immobilizing biological molecules (e.g., proteins, nucleic acids, buffers) within microfluidic devices by dissolving samples into a solvent and placing spots into the chip with a spotting robot in a humidity/temperature-controlled environment. Alternatively, freeze dried (i.e. lyophilized) reagents are commonly employed, though they require stable humidity conditions. Alternatively, the gelification of reagents may be used to alleviate strict humidity requirements. Blister packed reagents are also often used to distribute precise reagent volumes with lower reagent waste and costs. TE is an industry leader in the design and manufacturing of blister pack systems and can apply this dispensing technology to your next microfluidic device project.