Boston Microfluidic’s (BMF) core technology is a mechanical system for automating complex diagnostic chemistries and reporting the outcome in a self-contained disposable package. In this way, tests that have been restricted to remote laboratories due to their complexity may be more readily accessible to healthcare workers. Detection methods such as the antibody/antigen detection method ELISA have been used to test for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) for more than a quarter of a century. BMF’s technology is intended to automate a modified version of the ELISA process using microfluidics and internal mechanical elements. The large number of commercially available ELISA assays represents a broad potential menu for the BMF testing system.

This self-contained disposable testing system is designed for use in a variety of healthcare environments where there is a need for easily transportable rapid testing, such as a physician’s office or a walk-in clinic. BMF's technology is intended to provide the operator with an easy to read “positive/negative” result quickly, making it ideal for these point-of-care testing environments. With these rapid results in hand, Doctors may be able to test, diagnose and treat a patient all within the same visit.

To use this device, a small sample of blood is collected from a finger stick. The blood is applied to a collection pad which is sealed when the device is closed. Closing the device activates a mechanical process that performs the ELISA technique. The design is intended to provide results in less than a minute. If the test is run successfully results appear as a simple to read “positive/negative” result; one dot for negative and two dots for positive.



This device technology has not been submitted for review, nor cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.