Bridging the Gap - Advancing Microfluidics From Laboratory to Point-of-Care.

Abstract

Microfluidic technology offers a transformative approach for biomedical diagnostics by enabling miniaturization and automation of analytical procedures. Its integration into Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) holds promise for rapid, decentralized, and accessible diagnostics. However, translating laboratory microfluidics into practical POCT devices faces key challenges, including the handling of complex clinical samples, integration of multiple functions on a single chip, ensuring reliable analytical performance in clinical deployment scenarios, and meeting regulatory requirements. This review explores the evolution of microfluidic technology and the unique requirements for POCT, while highlighting the main challenges in translating laboratory systems into practical applications. Representative case studies and recent technological advances are presented to illustrate progress and solutions, and future directions are discussed with a focus on strategies to bridge the gap between laboratory research and effective, real-world POCT deployment.