Micromachined optical flow cell for sensitive measurement of droplets in tubing

Abstract

Here a micromachined flow cell with enhanced optical sensitivity is presented that allows high-throughput analysis of microdroplets. As a droplet flows through multiple concatenated measurement points, the rate of enzymatic reaction in the droplet can be fully characterized without stopping the flow. Since there is no cross-talk between the droplets, the flow cell is capable of continuously measuring biochemical assays in a droplet flow and thus is suitable to be used for continuous point-of-care diagnostics monitoring. This paper describes the design and operation of the device and its validation by application to the accurate and continuous quantification of glucose concentrations using an oxidase enzymatic assay. The flow cell forms an important component in the miniaturization of chemical and bio analyzers into portable or wearable devices.