Lab-on-DVD: standard DVD drives as a novel laser scanning microscope for image based point of care diagnostics

Lab Chip. 2013 Apr 21;13(8):1578-85. doi: 10.1039/c3lc41360h.

Abstract

We present a novel "Lab-on-DVD" system and demonstrate its capability for rapid and low-cost HIV diagnostics by counting CD4+ cells isolated from whole blood. We show that a commercial DVD drive can, with certain modifications, be turned into an improved DVD-based laser scanning microscope (DVD-LSM). The system consists of a multi-layered disposable polymer disc and a modified commercial DVD reader with rotational control for sample handling, temperature control for optimized bioassay, a photodiode array for detection, and software for signal processing and user interface - all the necessary components required for a truly integrated lab-on-a-chip system, with the capability to deliver high-resolution images down to 1 μm in size. Using discs modified with antibodies, we specifically captured CD4+ cells from whole blood, demonstrating single cell resolution imaging. The novel integrated DVD platform with sub-micron image resolution brings, for the first time, affordable cellular diagnostic testing to the point-of-care and should be readily applicable at resource-limited settings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Immobilized / immunology
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Separation / instrumentation
  • Cell Separation / methods
  • Electronics
  • Flow Cytometry
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / methods
  • Microscopy, Confocal*
  • Point-of-Care Systems
  • Software
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Antibodies, Immobilized