nanoFluidic Processor
At the heart of miDiagnostics’ technology is a nanoFluidic Processor (nFP), designed to allow for high-precision, fast test results and enabling widespread use at a low cost.
Production of this next-generation technology can be scaled up at speed, depending on the demand, due to the use of existing, standard silicon chip manufacturing processes.
The miniaturized processor on a silicon chip houses a network of microchannels, made with nanometer precision. These channels enable fluidic operations such as pumping, valving, mixing, and volume metering.
Various diagnostic tests can be performed on fluids which are guided through the system by capillary forces and can redirect liquids, even reversing their direction. Depending on the application, the nFP can be reconfigured, enabling nanofluidic processing and ultra-fast PCR, allowing virtually any biomarker to be processed: from cells and proteins to nucleic acids and small molecules.
It was initially developed by imec, the world-leading R&D and innovation hub, with the expertise of Johns Hopkins University, the leading US research and medical centre.
How it Works
How it works.
Silicon nFP
Silicon nFP chip processes a small sample via a miniaturised network of channels
Test Card
Disposable test card embedded with silicon chip. Small sample size – blood / nasal swab
Reader
Multiple use, portable reader.
Reads the test card, processes data and ensures wireless connectivity
Personal Device
User friendly interface compatible with desktop, laptop, tablet and mobile phone
Publications
We are committed to the highest quality research and frequently share our findings in peer-reviewed publications to enable high level and independent scientific scrutiny.
Key publications we have authored or co-authored
Complete Blood Count
Structured Low-Rank Matrix Factorization: Global Optimality, Algorithms, and Applications
Haeffele B, Vidal R, “Structured Low-Rank Matrix Factorization: Global Optimality, Algorithms, and Applications” in IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis & Machine Intelligence, vol. 42, no. 06, pp. 1468-1482, 19 February 2019. doi: 10.1109/TPAMI.2019.2900306
Complete Blood Count
Users beware! Biological variation in complete blood counts over short time intervals
DeLuca A, Betz J, Bollinger R, Ray S, Manabe Y. Users beware! Biological variation in complete blood counts over short time intervals. BMJ Evid Based Med. 2019 Dec;24(6):207-208. doi: 10.1136/bmjebm-2018-111150. Epub 29 May 2019. PMID: 31142555.
Complete Blood Count
Impact of Point-of-Care Diagnostics on Clinical Decision-making in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
DeLuca A, Betz J, Bollinger R, Ray SC, Manabe YC, Impact of Point-of-Care Diagnostics on Clinical Decision-making in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, The Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine, Volume 3, Issue 3, 1 November 2018, Pages 456–459
Complete Blood Count
Multi-cell Detection and Classification Using a Generative Convolutional Model
Yellin F, Haeffele B D, Roth S and Vidal R. Multi-cell Detection and Classification Using a Generative Convolutional Model. 2018 IEEE/CVF Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, Salt Lake City, UT, 17 December 2018, pp. 8953-8961, doi: 10.1109/CVPR.2018.00933.
Complete Blood Count
Blood cell detection and counting in holographic lens-free imaging by convolutional sparse dictionary learning and coding
Yellin F, Haeffele B D and Vidal R. Blood cell detection and counting in holographic lens-free imaging by convolutional sparse dictionary learning and coding. 2017 IEEE 14th International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging (ISBI 2017). Melbourne, VIC, 19 June 2017, pp. 650-653, doi: 10.1109/ISBI.2017.7950604.
Complete Blood Count
Removal of the twin image artifact in holographic lens-free imaging by sparse dictionary learning and coding
Haeffele BD, Roth S, Zhou L and Vidal R. Removal of the twin image artifact in holographic lens-free imaging by sparse dictionary learning and coding, 2017 IEEE 14th International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging (ISBI 2017), Melbourne, VIC, 19 June 2017, pp. 741-744, doi:10.1109/ISBI.2017.7950625.
Complete Blood Count
Efficient Reconstruction of Holographic Lens-Free Images by Sparse Phase Recovery
Haeffele B D, Stahl R, Vanmeerbeeck G, Vidal R. Efficient Reconstruction of Holographic Lens-Free Images by Sparse Phase Recovery. Springer, Cham. In: Descoteaux M., Maier-Hein L., Franz A., Jannin P., Collins D., Duchesne S. (eds) Medical Image Computing and Computer-Assisted Intervention − MICCAI 2017. MICCAI 4 September 2017. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66185-8_13. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 10434.
Complete Blood Count
Generative optical modeling of whole blood for detecting platelets in lens-free images
Haeffele BD, Pick C, Lin Z, Mathieu E, Ray SC, Vidal R. Generative optical modeling of whole blood for detecting platelets in lens-free images. Biomed Opt Express. 5 March 2020;11(4):1808-1818. doi: 10.1364/BOE.382280. PMID: 32341849; PMCID: PMC7173916.
Molecular Diagnostics
Ultra-fast, sensitive and quantitative on-chip detection of group B streptococci in clinical samples
Cai Q, Fauvart M, Wiederkehr RS, Jones B, Cools P, Goos P, Vaneechoutte M, Stakenborg T. Ultra-fast, sensitive and quantitative on-chip detection of group B streptococci in clinical samples, Talanta, Volume 192, 15 January 2019, Pages 220-225, ISSN 0039-9140,
Molecular Diagnostics
Rapid and sensitive detection of viral nucleic acids using silicon microchips
Powell L, Wiederkehr RS, Damascus P, Fauvart M, Buja F, Stakenborg T, Ray SC, Fiorini P, Osburn WO. Rapid and sensitive detection of viral nucleic acids using silicon microchips. Analyst. 1 May 2018; 143(11), pp.2596–2603.
“miDiagnostics has the potential to disrupt and transform the industry by making diagnostic information available to clinician and patient alike.”
“Its easy-to-use and cost-efficient test will revolutionize point-of-care testing by directly engaging with patients and enabling speedy intervention”
“When it comes to making diagnostic decisions, it’s time to stop focusing on firefighting, it’s time to start investing in smoke detectors”