Miniaturization for point-of-care analysis. Platform technology for almost every biomedical assay

Platform technologies for the changing need of diagnostics are one of the main challenges in medical device technology. From one point‐of‐view the demand for new and more versatile diagnostic is increasing due to a deeper knowledge of biomarkers and their combination with diseases. From another point‐of‐view a decentralization of diagnostics will occur since decisions can be made faster resulting in higher success of therapy. Hence, new types of technologies have to be established which enables a multiparameter analysis at the point‐of‐care. Within this review‐like article a system called Fraunhofer ivD‐platform is introduced. It consists of a credit‐card sized cartridge with integrated reagents, sensors and pumps and a read‐out/processing unit. Within the cartridge the assay runs fully automated within 15‐20 minutes. Due to the open design of the platform different analyses such as antibody, serological or DNA‐assays can be performed. Specific examples of these three different assay types are given to show the broad applicability of the system.