A lab-on-chip solution for the detection and suppression of COVID-19 severity

Abstract

Abstract At present, the conventional method for detecting COVID-19 infection is reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) performed on nasopharyngeal and pharyngeal swabs. In addition, other detection techniques such as isothermal nucleic acid amplification, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) have also been proposed and are being used. However, these techniques are limited to central hospitals and pathologies. Point-of-care solutions may play an important role in rapid and timely detection by an individual at their doorstep. In addition, the disease adversely affects the functioning of various constituents of human blood. For example, it reduces the platelets count, increases production of proinflammatory cytokine which results in cytokine storm, and increases level of various plasma proteins with the severity of the disease. Therefore, monitoring and transfusion of blood plasma and platelets may play an essential role in detection and suppression of severity of COVID-19 infection. In this regard, we propose evolution of our existing microdevice for the detection and suppression of severity of COVID-19 infection. We propose modification of our microdevice in the following ways (i) as a platelet-rich plasma separation unit, (ii) as an on-chip device to study inter-cellular properties of platelets, and (iii) for on-chip detection of infection by separating plasma. The integration of these microdevices with lateral flow assays, flow-virometry reader (FVR), direct serological biosensor assay along with proprietary technology based on plasmonic, place these microdevices in an advantageous position. Moreover, coupling of the microdevices with machine leaning application for rapid detection of the severity of COVID-19 and platelets related disorders makes these microdevices as a complete unit for point-of-care application.