Centrifugal microfluidics platform integrated with multiple trigger-type valves for chemiluminescence detection of prostate cancer

Abstract

Chemiluminescence is currently the most widely used immunoassay method in clinical practice, characterized by its high detection sensitivity, high specificity, and rapid processing speed. Traditional chemiluminescence rely on large, complex instruments that require intensive manual maintenance, making it unsuitable for regions with limited medical resources. Developing POCT devices based on centrifugal microfluidics is a feasible solution. However, fully integrating complex assay steps such as sequential reagent release, precise fluid transport, and magnetic beads manipulation into centrifugal microfluidics remains challenging, limiting its application in chemiluminescence. Commonly used integration schemes concentrate on utilization of single trigger-type valves and the resolution of valve activating inevitably decreases as the number increases due to the same triggering mechanism. In our previous work, we introduced new Euler force triggered siphon valves which were different from conventional hydrophilic siphon valves. In this work, we further proposed an integration scheme based on passive valves with different triggering mechanisms to reduce the risk of valve interference, resulting in more precise fluid control and thus better reproducibility of chips. As a validation, we detected total prostate cancer antigen (TPSA) and free prostate cancer antigen (FPSA) using direct chemiluminescence on the chip. The detection process was completed in less than 20 min and limit of detection (LOD) was 0.1 ng/mL for TPSA and 0.08 ng/mL for FPSA, respectively. The chip relies solely on valves for fluid control without external structural intervention, establishing significant advantages in automation of entire platform, which create broad application prospects for early clinical diagnosis.