Chip-Scale Integrated Micro-fluidic System, Including Valves and Pumps, for use in Transdermal Biological Monitoring

Advanced Sensors Technologies, Inc. (AST) proposes to manufacture and test its DARPA funded Phase I SBIR designs of an integrated microfluidic sensor system with the goal of online, real-time monitoring of biological fluids. The MEMS microfluidic systemincorporates AST's innovative designs for microscopic pumps, values, fluid channels, and sensing chambers. Utilizing AST's mature sensor technologies, the system will be capable of monitoring a variety of biological fluids including saliva, perspiration,urine, and most importantly, interstitial fluid. The most promising noninvasive technique for continuous monitoring of molecules within the body is to measure interstitial fluids obtained transdermally. Due to the high concentration of capillaries indermis, interstitial fluid concentration of relevant molecules, including blood electrolytes, stress hormones, medical and recreational drugs, pesticides, and chemical warfare agents correlate directly with their humoral concentration. AST's goals for thisPhase II project include incorporation of the chip-scale MEMS microfluidic system into a