Integrated Paper-Based Microfluidic Blood Analyzer for use in Austere Environments

To address USSOCOMs need for an environmentally stable, rapid, portable comprehensive blood analyzer system, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Integrated Paper-Based Microfluidic Blood Analyzer for use in Austere Environments (iBLAdE) based on electrochemical measurements of different panels of electrolytes, metabolites, blood gases, and blood typing antigens within a microfluidic system. Specifically, the innovation in design and development of an electrochemical microfluidic system with ion selective electrodes and membranes will enable the iBLAdE system to accurately and rapidly provide a comprehensive analysis with high sensitivity and selectivity. As a result, this device offers stability, portability, and speed, which directly address SOCOM requirements. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the iBLAdE by performing a feasibility study to investigate technology options that meet or exceed the minimum performance parameters, addressing the risks and potential drawbacks, and finalizing and validating the choices to be implemented in iBLAdE. Laboratory studies to finalize prototype configuration to be implemented in Phase II will include measuring concentrations of sodium, lactate, hematocrit, and blood/Rh typing, reaching technology readiness level (TRL)-3. In Phase II, POC plans to reach TRL-5 by further developing and validating the prototype.