Development of a Smartphone Based Point of Care Device for Multiplexed Infectious Disease Diagnosis

Infectious diseases are responsible for a significant portion of mortality and morbidity in the developing world, whose spread can be better controlled by using accurate diagnostic and epidemiological tools. Wireless multiplex point of care diagnostic devices can address the drawbacks of current gold standard diagnostic methods such as ELISA and PCR, while allowing for epidemiological data collection and use through geo-tagging and real-time disease tracking when coupled with cell-phones. Existing cell-phone based point of care diagnostic devices lack sensitivity, portability or adequate multiplexing capabilities. Quantum dot microbead barcoding, Recombinase Polymerase Amplification and fluorescent microscopy are three technological platforms that have been shown through the work of Chan et al. to be ideal for multiplexed point of care detection when integrated with a smartphone. When consolidated with automated fluid handling and electricity-free precise temperature control, it can serve as a proof of concept for a point of care device for multiplexed genomic disease detection. The objective of this thesis is to develop and verify automated fluid handling, barcode readout and electricity-free precise temperature control for an integrated point of care DNA diagnostic platform. Chapter two covers the development and iteration of an approach to automated fluid handling for the quantum dot barcode assay. Chapter three covers the development and iteration of point-of-care quantum dot barcode readout and integration with the automated fluid handling module. Chapter four demonstrates an approach to reducing power consumption of the integrated device while allowing for electricity-free, precise and localized temperature control without damage to surrounding reagents. The successful development and verification of the component modules required for a multiplexed diagnostic device represents a significant step towards the achievement of a consolidated universal point of care multiplex diagnostic device. Translation of this device through clinical validation and iterative design for manufacturing can allow for amelioration of the healthcare infrastructure in resource poor settings through better diagnostic workflows.

Department dc:contributor.department

Biomedical Engineering

Year dc:date.issued

2020

Author dc:creator

• Kadhiresan, Pranav

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Chan, Warren

• Chemical Heater
• Diagnostics

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1807/108559

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:utoronto.scholaris.ca:1807/108559