Lab-on-a-chip Automized analytic- and diagnostic system

Analytics has developed into an important growth market in various fields, whereby microfluidics has once again prompted a special burst of innovation. Rohrer AG is at the forefront of this development. With our decades of experience in blister technology, we support research projects and develop the technologies and equipment needed for new diagnostic methods and methods of analysis.

Reduced demand for reagents as a result of lab-on-a-chip systems
With lab-on-a-chip systems, fully integrated technology is available for a wide variety of applications. This technology fully utilises the strengths of the handling of fluids on a micro-scale:

• reduced demand for reagents
• complete control of the processes
• minimal energy required
• highest degree of standardisation potential.

The lab-on-a-chip is able to function using minimal amounts of active ingredients: fluids that are applied in advance to the disc are guided via microfluid outlets, chambers and channels by means of centrifugal forces and different temperature controls. The channel size is reduced down to 50µm so that very small amounts of reagents are sufficient. All biochemical components are already prepared on the LabDisk in advance so that no laboratory procedures are needed for the analysis itself, with the exception of adding the sample.
Due to the low material use during the unique thermoforming process, by means of which discs with a thickness of less than 0.2mm are produced, the system is also suitable for carrying out tests in large numbers.
Standardized analytics
The lab-on-a-chip provides an automated analytic and diagnostic system, the parameters of which are precisely defined by the architecture of the disc. All biochemical products are already integrated, and therefore analyses can be carried out with little time expenditure and without special laboratory infrastructure. Since the reagents that are introduced only need to be supplemented by the sample, the system is characterised by its ease of handling. No specialised personnel are needed to operate the system, and therefore even precise medical diagnoses, for example, can be made under makeshift circumstances. The analytic results are read out optically evaluated in the "disk player".
Typical fields of application and users of the system are analytical laboratories and doctor's offices, for example, when carrying out

• blood analyses for various indications
• water analyses
• the detection of pathogens on the basis of extracted DNA / RNA
• the detection of parasites, bacteria or viruses.

A development partner for demanding applications
Rohrer AG develops and manufactures tools and equipment for the implementation of complex analysis designs. Thus, practically no limits are imposed on the use of microfluidic solutions. Different samples can be processed in parallel, thereby increasing the output for a given period of time. The autonomous configuration of the LabDisk allows it to be used in areas that lack medical infrastructure.
Rohrer AG is involved as a partner in important innovation projects in the EU, in order to further develop the lab-on-a-chip system:

• EU project, "ASC MicroPlat" for identifying markers for neonatal sepsis (blood poisoning in newborns)
• EU project, "Parcival" for identifying highly infectious pathogens in the respiratory tract
• EU project, "DiscoGnosis" for identifying malaria pathogens and other febrile illnesses such as typhus, paratyphoid, dengue fever and pneumonia.

Your contact partner at Rohrer:
Albert Birkicht, MSE
GM Processing & Packaging Technology
albert.birkicht@rohrerag.com
+41 61 855 21 94