Point-of-care diagnostic methods using capillary-action microfluidic devices

Abstract

Methods that integrates processing and an analysis of a sample are disclosed and include use of a testing device that integrates nucleic acid isolation, isothermal amplification and detection wherein a sample and reagents are transported through a capture/binding membrane by capillary forces and the positioning of a slidebar that supports said binding membrane. In the practice of the methods, flow control and fluid actuation are effected by the position of a slidebar of the device which makes a fluidic connection through the capture membrane situated between a reservoir of liquid on the device and an absorbing pad, and where a sequence of operations for sample loading, washing, optionally amplification, and optical detection of analytes can be done conveniently and rapidly at the point of care.