Capillary microfluidic electrochemical biosensor for rapid microbe detection in aqueous media

Overview

Criticare Dx has developed a proprietary capillary microfluidic electrochemical biosensing platform that enables rapid, quantitative detection of microbes and biomarkers directly in complex sample matrices. The technology has already been validated in clinical settings for detecting protein biomarkers of brain injuries in emergency rooms and for COVID-19 viral load detection in nasal and saliva samples, achieving performance equivalent to PCR while outperforming other rapid antigen tests. It has also been applied to bacterial detection in urinary tract infection patients. The platform is designed to be adapted for detecting and quantifying diverse microbes, including bacteria and fungi, in aqueous media, offering a simple, low-cost, and multiplexed sensing unit suitable for point-of-care and remote deployment.

Technical specifications

Core technology:

• Capillary-driven microfluidic design eliminates the need for external pumps or power sources, enabling self-powered operation similar to a pregnancy or rapid COVID test
• Electrochemical biosensing provides higher sensitivity for microbial detection compared to optical sensing alternatives
• Multiplexing capability allows simultaneous detection of up to 10 biomarkers or microbial targets in a single test
• Automated sample preparation concentrates pathogens into a smaller volume to enhance detection sensitivity
• Low-cost per test at under $10 per unit, making it suitable for high-frequency and resource-limited testing environments

Validated applications:

• Rapid concussion biomarker detection in emergency room settings
• PCR-equivalent COVID-19 detection in nasal and saliva samples, deployed with Alberta Health Services in remote settings and long-term care facilities
• Bacterial detection for urinary tract infection diagnostics
• Quantitative digital readouts, distinguishing it from qualitative rapid tests on the market

Current development focus:

• Calibration curves for bacteria and fungi of interest in spiked aqueous samples
• Optimization of sensing parameters and electrode design to minimize crosstalk in multiplex configurations
• Automation of the full sensing protocol into a self-powered capillary device
• Benchmarking against gold-standard detection methods

Technology readiness level

The platform has reached an advanced stage of development, with multiple assays already validated in clinical and point-of-care environments. COVID-19 test performance has been independently demonstrated to match PCR sensitivity and specificity, and brain injury biomarker assays are undergoing emergency room validation. The next phase focuses on extending the platform to environmental and aqueous microbe detection, including bacteria and fungi, through calibration, automation, and comparative validation against gold-standard methods. The technology is positioned for pilot deployment and field validation in collaboration with public health and industry partners.