Microfluidic Paper-based Analytical Devices in Clinical Applications

Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (mu PADs) take the paper as a base material and integrate nanoscale microchannel on it for multiple detections. Its unique properties like low cost, portability, simple operation, and easy to save make it better than the traditional microfluidic chips. While designed originally for point-of-care medical diagnostics, mu PADs have attracted the attention of many researchers in the fields of environmental monitoring, water quality, and food safety. The novelty of this paper is to present a detailed overview of mu PADs for clinical applications. Firstly, a brief introduction to production methods, characteristics, and applications of these methods have been given. Secondly, the basic implementation, working principles, and corresponding performance of detection methods of clinical devices have been discussed, which enable the mu PADs to detect biomarkers, human cells, bacteria, and viruses in a short time. Lastly, the factors that limit mu PADs commercial applications, and their future research directions have also been briefly summarized.