Abstract
Point-of-care testing (POCT) has become an essential part of diagnostics in recent medical practice. To meet the growing demand for POCT especially in resource-limited settings, microfluidically patterned paper has been proposed as a platform for low-cost, yet practical (bio) chemical analysis, resulting in the development of so-called μPADs. Since their introduction in 2007, μPADs have drawn attention for their simplicity, allowing to perform complex procedures or multiple analyte sensing by a single sample introduction step. μPADs reported so far are reliant on various detection principles, including colorimetry, fluorometry, and electrochemical measurements. For developing μPADs, printing technologies, straightforwardly compatible with paper, have played an important role. In particular, inkjet printing is known as an exclusive fabrication technique enabling mass production and functionalization of μPADs. This review introduces fundamentals, fabrication, and several practical applications of inkjet-printed μPADs.
