Microwave Fluidics Technology

What are "Lab-On-A-Chip" Technologies?

In addition to a patient's specimen, medical tests usually require the introduction of one or more specialized liquids. For example, liquids containing antibodies or specific DNA might be used to capture a chosen disease-related molecule in a patient's sample. Alternatively, a colored or fluorescent liquid is often needed to physically detect the molecule of interest.

Traditionally, lab technicians have manually mixed test liquids. More recently, large automated machines and robotics have been used to carry out tests, often in high-throughput central clinical laboratories.

In recent years there has been a trend toward sophisticated small disposable devices called "chips" that contain all needed test liquids. Self-contained "Lab-On-A-Chip" technologies have several advantages over traditional test methods. These include:

Quality control (no opportunity for user error)
Portability (small disposable devices can be used in field applications where large instruments are not feasible)
Economy of Sample (allows for tests to be run using only a fraction of a drop of liquid)
Convenience (little or no training is required to perform a test)

Lab-On-A-Chip technologies require "fluidics" - in other words, a means of moving and mixing small amounts of liquids. Common drawbacks to most fluidics technologies are that they can very expensive or unreliable to manufacture or they can be highly complex requiring sophisticated valves, pumps, or miniature electronics.

What are some practical applications for "Lab-On-A-Chip" devices?

Lab-On-A-Chip devices can be used in a huge number of applications - anywhere convenient rapid biomolecular tests are needed. There are three main categories of applications, each with many of uses within it:

Biomedical Research - basic medical research, drug development, clinical trials
Medical Diagnostics - emergency room, doctor's office, bedside care
Field Applications - biological and chemical warfare detection, food and water testing, veterinary medicine

What is Microwave Fluidics?

At Mirari, we have invented a new and simple patent pending fluidics technology called Microwave Fluidics. Microwave Fluidics is a method in which low power microwaves are used to move fluids on a disposable device, without heating the fluids that are moved. This is a potentially an extremely valuable technology because it is a "noncontact" method that does not require electrical contacts or pumps of any kind. Moreover, it is extremely simple and does not require extraordinary manufacturing capabilities. Thus it has the promise of being a reliable and inexpensive tool for medical diagnostics. In addition, Microwave Fluidics is highly complementary to Mirari's existing microwave MASC™ technology.

How Does Microwave Fluidics Work?

Microwave fluidics technology involves a heat-shrinkable material and a "microwave-loving" material that heats very efficiently under low microwave irradiation. The "Before" and "After" photographs shown below demonstrate microwave fluidics.

Before (Panel A): The top panel (A) of the figure shows a photograph of a black heat-shrinkable tube (1.). Also shown is a similar black heat-shrinkable tube that has been partially painted with a grey microwave-loving material (2.). Although not visible, both tubes contain a red liquid.

After (Panel B): Following brief microwave irradiation, a second photograph was taken, which is shown in Panel B. The microwaves did not affect the unmodified tube (1.), but caused the modified tube (2.) to contract. This contraction caused the red liquid to be delivered to a clear piece of tubing (3.).

Microwave Fluidics: Microwave-Induced Fluid Flow