應用於個人化生物分子檢測之血液分離技術研發

Abstract

血液分離是生物醫學研究或應用中大量使用的樣品製備步驟之一。為了因應Point-Of-Care Technology (POCT)的趨勢，已有許多不同的微流道系統在設計或開發階段，用以實現在POCT的裝置中達到微量的血液分離功能。這些微流道設計開發的主要挑戰，在於微流道中處理微量的全血是一大困境。為了克服此困難，本研究提出了一種運用雕刻機製作的微流道設計，實現血漿提取功能的裝置。在此裝置的設計中結合了全血沉降槽以及協助分離的過濾膜。裝置中的幾何效應對於沉降效果以及過濾效率的影響皆為本研究中評估的項目，最終達到僅需15微升的全血樣本，並且於15分鐘完成沉降過濾，提取出無細胞(cell-free)的血漿樣本。電化學阻抗分析被用於驗證本研究血漿提取的設計，於30分鐘的生物分子反應鍵結後，即可進行量測。電化學阻抗分析可以進一步使此設計更接近符合POTC需求的診斷系統。基於本研究的設計所開發的血液分離裝置，可以被用於未來的個人保健相關應用。

Blood fractionation is an essential sample preparation step in in-vitro diagnosis applications. As a consequence, different microfluidic devices have been designed and developed to achieve blood fractionation functions, especially in Point-of-Care Technology (POCT). The major challenge of this development is difficulties to process small volume of whole blood in microscale devices. To conquer this challenge, we propose a plasma extraction device implemented by mechanically carving methods. In the proposed device, it combines a sedimentation slot and a filter membrane. The geometry effect of the sedimentaiton and filtration efficiency in the proposed device is experimentally evaluted. Only 15 microliter of whole blood sample is needed. Cell-free plasma sample can be extracted after 15 minutes of sedimentation and filtration. On the other hand, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is used to verify the plasma extract design. Further, it makes the device a step closer to a diagnosis system that should achieve POCT demand. 30 minutes is needed for hybridization, and the measurement can be conducted right after it. Based on our works, the developed blood-fractionation device can be used for future personal health care applications.