Portable fully integrated POCT device based on digital microfluidic technology

With the increasing demand for rapid diagnostic devices, traditional biological detection systems face challenges such as prolonged reaction times, single-parameter detection, complex operation, and low device integration. Particularly in primary healthcare and emergency response scenarios, rapid and simplified methods for nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and detection are crucial for disease control and public health management. This study presents the design and development of a portable and fully integrated point-of-care testing (POCT) device based on digital microfluidic (DMF) technology. By utilizing DMF principles alongside controlled droplet movement across dual-temperature zones, the device facilitates efficient nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and multiplex detection. Integrating multiple functions, including micro/nano sample manipulation, temperature control, magnetic control, and fluorescence detection, enables automated real-time detection on a single platform. To evaluate its performance, bacterial lysis and nucleic acid amplification experiments were conducted to assess the device's detection capability across different biological samples. The experimental results show that the device is capable of completing lysis, nucleic acid amplification, and signal detection for four Gram-negative bacterial samples on a single chip within 80 min. With advantages such as rapid response, multiplex detection, and high integration, the device is suitable for widespread application in primary healthcare, remote areas, and emergency testing environments, providing efficient and accurate diagnostic services without requiring specialized operators.