SBIR-STTR Award

In this project Optofluidics, Inc. proposes to develop a “CLIA waivable” sample collection method for the concentration and quantification of blood-borne biomarkers associated with late phase hemorrhagic shock and traumatic brain injury. The sample collection technology is based on (1) a finger prick based assay, (2) a multistage packed bead filtration system, and (3) a novel “nanofluidic collapse” aptamer based specific protein concentration technique, originally demonstrated by the Erickson lab at Cornell University and covered under a patent application. It is proposed that this sample collection technique can be integrated with our existing Nanoscale Optofluidic Sensor Array technology to create a handheld “molecular medic” that can rapidly detect the presence of biomarkers related to these conditions. With our devices untrained personnel or first responders could diagnose with better certainty the presence of these injuries and make more informed decisions regarding treatment, having a dramatic influence on outcomes following a traumatic event.

Keywords:
Late Phase Hemorrhagic Shock, Traumatic Brain Injury, Microfluidics, Sample Collection, Biosensor, Biomarker, Molecular Medicine, Blood

In this project Optofluidics, Inc. proposes to develop the Molecular Medic ? a point-of-care device for sample collection, processing, and quantification of blood-borne biomarkers. The technology is based on (1) a finger prick assay, (2) a capillary-driven blood filtration system, (3) a novel ?nanofluidic collapse? protein concentration technique and (4) a mutliplexable, reconfigurable, ultrasensitive Nanoscale Optofluidic Sensor Array. Key to the envisioned success of the Molecular Medic, is the combination of the most sensitive mass sensor (to our knowledge) with a novel concentration technique that, together will allow a point-of-care device to have comparable performance to a benchtop clinical test. The Molecular Medic builds on the success of the sample processing system that is currently nearing development completion in Phase I. Our initial focus is on diagnosing traumatic brain injury using a marker panel developed by our collaborators at Banyan Biomarkers. With nearly 2 million cases of TBI per year (globally) we expect to have a major impact beyond the military?s interest. With our devices untrained personnel, first responders or clinicians without convenient access to a clinical lab could diagnose with great certainty the presence of injuries and diseases and make more streamlined and informed decisions regarding treatment.

Keywords:
Point-Of-Care Testing, Traumatic Brain Injury, Microfluidics, Sample Collection, Biosensor, Biomarker, Blood, Diagnostics