Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive, monogenetic disease brought on by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, that encodes the CFTR protein. Leading to disordered chloride transport, resulting in a slow and steady deterioration in lung function, and production of thick and viscous secretions in the lungs, gut, pancreas, reproductive system and liver. Despite substantial advancements in CF diagnostic/screening methods, there are still limitations and unmet needs. In particular, the significant financial burden alongside the necessity of healthcare professionals for diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care underscores the importance of exploring and developing alternative methods to screen, diagnose, and manage CF patients.
In resource-limited areas where laboratory facilities and healthcare professionals are scarce, the creation of portable and low-cost point-of-care devices is vital in boosting hospital patient flow and expanding access to diagnostic services. In recent years, microfluidic-based analytical devices have gained popularity across varying applications, including CF diagnosis, due to their portability, low cost and low sample volume requirements. With the rise in paper-based microfluidic devices, this study focused on exploring alternative materials and fabrication tools that can be used to create a microfluidic device. In particular, electrospun matrix’s that offer promising properties for microfluidic based analytical devices. Electrospun matrices can be composed from a variety of materials depending on the intended application. These microfluidic devices, although promising, still have issues surrounding efficacy, time, cost, and methodology, and thus require further research and development.
The primary aim of this study was to design, prototype and test a single use, noninvasive, low cost, electrospun matrix based microfluidic device for point of care (POC) CF diagnosis/screening. Specifically, the study investigated the ability of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based electrospun matrix carrying silver to analyse chloride levels to screen for CF.
The study was innovative in its materials employed, fabrication, and device assembly methods. Furthermore, the electrospun matrix replacing the commonly used filter paper as the base for the microfluidic device, the electrospun matrix proved to be an ideal material for fluid transport and carrier of silver due to its beneficial structural properties. Using materials that are readily available, like PVA and parafilm, ensures that the device is low-cost while remaining accessible for widespread use. The device's simple yet effective design made it was portable, easy to use, and by using a distanced based approach to analyse the chloride (Cl-) levels, it ensures that it is easy to read by non-healthcare professionals, and without additional laboratory equipment.
The study demonstrated that an electrospun heat treated PVA matrix carrying silver could successfully transport fluid samples and determine Cl- concentrations through distance-based analysis and thus shows significant potential for CF screening and the monitoring the therapeutic effects of CFTR modulators and potentiators through sweat, in addition to other fields like sports, water safety, and agriculture. Additionally, this research highlights the successful integration of electrospun matrixes in microfluidic device, showing immense future potential in microfluidic analytical devices.