Enhancing detection accuracy via controlled release of 3D-printed microlattice nasopharyngeal swabs

Ran Xiao; Jiaheng Li; Yue Fung Wong; Lok Ting Chu; Yingxin Zhu; Liqiang Wang; Minghui Wu; Dingkun Zhang; Meng Gong; Joseph Lai; Kannie W. Y. Chan; Rong Fan; Ting-Hsuan Chen; Yang Lu

doi:10.1038/s44172-024-00185-5

Communications Engineering (Mar 2024)

Enhancing detection accuracy via controlled release of 3D-printed microlattice nasopharyngeal swabs

Ran Xiao,
Jiaheng Li,
Yue Fung Wong,
Lok Ting Chu,
Yingxin Zhu,
Liqiang Wang,
Minghui Wu,
Dingkun Zhang,
Meng Gong,
Joseph Lai,
Kannie W. Y. Chan,
Rong Fan,
Ting-Hsuan Chen,
Yang Lu

Affiliations

Ran Xiao: Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong
Jiaheng Li: Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong
Yue Fung Wong: Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong
Lok Ting Chu: Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong
Yingxin Zhu: Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong
Liqiang Wang: Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong
Minghui Wu: Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong
Dingkun Zhang: Laboratory of Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics, Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University
Meng Gong: Laboratory of Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics, Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University
Joseph Lai: Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong
Kannie W. Y. Chan: Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong
Rong Fan: Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong
Ting-Hsuan Chen: Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong
Yang Lu: Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-024-00185-5
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 3, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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Abstract Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab is one of the most effective sampling devices for clinical specimens. However, commercial NP swabs often release samples through diluents, lowering analyte concentration and causing inaccurate detections. Here, we developed 3D-printed open-cell microlattice NP swabs with user-friendly high-efficiency controlled sample release (CR) mode. Compared with traditional NP swabs, our microlattice NP swabs show higher (~7–11 times) flexibility, larger (~2.3 times) and customizable release volume, higher (dozens to thousands of times) release concentration, high recovery efficiency (~100%), and the ability to quantify analyte levels. Our microlattice NP swabs have been thus demonstrated to improve the sensitivity and accuracy of antibody detection experiments using rapid detection kits. This study offers a promising approach to enhance sensitivity and accuracy in clinical specimen detections, and is beneficial to inspire the design of a wider range of biomedical devices based on 3D-printed microlattice metamaterials.

Published in Communications Engineering

ISSN: 2731-3395 (Online)
Publisher: Nature Portfolio
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Technology: Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Website: https://www.nature.com/commseng/

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