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Advancements in the research of finger-actuated POCT chips

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Abstract

Microfluidic point-of-care testing (POCT) chips are used to enable the mixing and reaction of small sample volumes, facilitating target molecule detection. Traditional methods for actuating POCT chips rely on external pumps or power supplies, which are complex and non-portable. The development of finger-actuated chips has reduced operational difficulty and improved portability, promoting the development of POCT chips. This paper reviews the significance, developments, and potential applications of finger-actuated POCT chips. Three methods for controlling the flow accuracy of finger-actuated chips are summarized: direct push, indirect control, and sample injection control method, along with their respective advantages and disadvantages. Meanwhile, a comprehensive analysis of multi-fluid driving modes is provided, categorizing them into single-push multi-driving and multi-push multi-driving modes. Furthermore, recent research breakthroughs in finger-actuated chips are thoroughly summarized, and their structures, driving, and detection methods are discussed. Finally, this paper discusses the driving performance of finger-actuated chips, the suitability of detection scenarios, and the compatibility with existing detection technologies. It also provides prospects for the future development and application of finger-actuated POCT chips.

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Fig. 1

(Copyright 2023, Anal Chim Acta)

Fig. 2

(Copyright 2022, Micromachines (Basel)). b A finger-actuated microfluidic chip of indirect control and the working diagram of indirect control the deformation of PDMS membrane [21] (Copyright 2018, Lab Chip). c The diagram of using a layer-by-layer nanoassembly spraying method to generate asymmetric capillary force [22] (Copyright 2020, Sensors and Actuators A: Physical). d A finger-actuated microfluidic chip of indirect control by piezoelectric elements and finger operation process on the chip [23] (Copyright 2014, Lab Chip). e A finger-actuated microfluidic chip of sample injection control method [25] (Copyright 2022, Lab Chip)

Fig. 3

(Copyright 2020, Lab Chip) and [29] (Copyright 2022, Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical). c, d Multi-push multi-driving mode of finger-actuated microfluidic chip [17] (Copyright 2020, Sensors (Basel)) and [31] (Copyright 2021, Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical)

Fig. 4

(Copyright 2019, Anal Chem). b A finger-actuated microfluidic chip for the multiplex detection of foodborne pathogens [12] (Copyright 2023, Biosens Bioelectron). c A finger-actuated microfluidic concentration gradient generator [41] (Copyright 2019, Micromachines (Basel)). d A dual-detection microfluidic chip for rapid quantitative analysis of two amino acids [42] (Copyright 2023, Biosens Bioelectron). e The diagram and object figures of a microfluidic chip for nucleic acid detection and purification [43] (Copyright 2019, Lab Chip)

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Funding

This study was kindly supported by the National Natural Science Foundation (32201185) and the Fujian Provincial Department of Science and Technology (2021H6008).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Marine Equipment and Mechanical Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China

    Zhichang Du, Ling Chen & Shaohui Yang

  2. Key Laboratory of Ocean Renewable Energy Equipment of Fujian Province, Xiamen, 361021, China

    Shaohui Yang

  3. Key Laboratory of Energy Cleaning Utilization and Development of Fujian Province, Xiamen, 361021, China

    Shaohui Yang

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  1. Zhichang Du
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  2. Ling Chen
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  3. Shaohui Yang
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Contributions

Conceptualization, Z.D. and L.C.; methodology, L.C.; validation, Z.D. and L.C.; formal analysis, L.C.; investigation, L.C.; resources, Z.D. and S.Y.; data curation, X.X.; writing—original draft preparation, L.C.; writing—review and editing, Z.D.; visualization, Z.D. and L.C.; supervision, Z.D. and S.Y.; project administration, Z.D. and S.Y.; funding acquisition, Z.D. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Ling Chen.

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Du, Z., Chen, L. & Yang, S. Advancements in the research of finger-actuated POCT chips. Microchim Acta 191, 65 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-023-06140-z

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