STMicroelectronics is to manufacture cartridges for a multi-sample lab-on-a-chip test system developed by Alifax in Italy. By Nick Flaherty @ eenewseurope.com
The move extends ST’s manufacturing from packaging the microfluidics lab-on-a-chip device to making the whole cartridge, which measures 46.9mm x 21.9mm x 8.2mm, at its backend plant in Malta. Alifax then adds the chemical reagents for the Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR) test. Other test cartridges are assembled in a cleanroom.
The cartridge can be used to detect many different types of pathogens, but the main focus is of course Covid-19, with test results in less than an hour. It can also handle multiple samples in a single cartridge, which is a key design feature to boost throughput.
The 300g desktop Molecular Mouse developed by Alifax is a small portable instrument that contains a broad range of ST components, including STM32 MCUs, sensors, amplifiers, and other devices. The cartridge has six reaction chambers, and for the Covid-19 test, Alifax is using two chambers per sample. Each chamber supports precise heating and cooling of the reagents and samples to amplify the target genetic material, if it is present. Alifax adds a fluorescent reagent to identify the key parts of a virus.One crucial lesson from the current global pandemic is the importance of rapid, cost-efficient point-of-care testing that allows immediate remote diagnosis, and then, if necessary, patient isolation,” said Alessandro Cremonesi, Chief Innovation Officer, STMicroelectronics. “ST has been investing in its Real-Time PCR platform convinced that innovative semiconductor-based diagnostic solutions can positively impact our lives.Read more: ST TO MAKE CARTRIDGES FOR COVID-19 TESTS
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