Emerging Technologies for Next-Generation Point-of-Care Testing

Considerable advances in point-of-care testing (POCT) devices stem from innovations in cellphone (CP)-based technologies, paper-based assays (PBAs), lab-on-a-chip (LOC) platforms, novel assay formats, and strategies for long-term reagent storage. Various commercial CP platforms have emerged to provide cost-effective mobile health care and personalized medicine. Such assay formats, as well as low-cost PBAs and LOC-based assays, are paving the way to robust, automated, simplified, and cost-effective POCT. Strategies have also been devised to stabilize reagent storage and usage at ambient temperature. Nevertheless, successful commercialization and widespread implementation of such clinically viable technologies remain subject to several challenges and pending issues.

TrendsRecent advances in emerging technologies [i.e., cellphone (CP)-based technologies, paper-based assays (PBAs), and lab-on-a-chip (LOC) platforms] are paving the way for next-generation point-of-care testing (POCT).Advances in novel assay formats as well as strategies for long-term reagent storage are the prerequisites for emerging POCT technologies.Current and future analytes for POCT comprise small-molecule metabolites, proteins, cardiac biomarkers, and cells.One emerging future trend is centered on miniaturized, fully automated, and network-enabled CP-based POCT technologies integrated with PBAs and/or LOC platforms.Several key challenges that must be addressed are bioanalytical performance, miniaturization of microfluidic devices, material safety and disposal, changing CP specifications, data security and ownership, big data, and health economics feasibility.