Smartphone integrated handheld (SPEED) digital polymerase chain reaction device

Abstract

We demonstrate a smartphone integrated handheld (SPEED) digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) device for point-of-care application. The device has dimensions of ≈100 × 200 × 35 mm³ and a weight of ≈400 g. It can perform 45 PCR cycles in ≈49 min. The device also features integrated, miniaturized modules for thermal cycling, image taking, and wireless data communication. These functions are controlled by self-developed Android-based applications. The only consumable is the developed silicon-based dPCR chip, which has the potential to be recycled. The device's precision and accuracy are comparable with commercial dPCR machines. We have verified the SPEED dPCR prototype's utility in the testing of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the detection of cancer-associated gene sequences, and the confirmations of Down syndrome diagnoses. Due to its low upfront capital investment, as well as its nominal running cost, we envision that the SPEED dPCR device will help to perform cancer screenings and non-invasive prenatal tests for the general population. It will also aid in the timely identification and monitoring of infectious disease testing, thereby expediting alerts with respect to potential emerging pandemics.