Pronounced effect of lamination on plasma separation from whole blood by microfluidic paper-based analytical devices

Many diseases are detected through blood tests. Currently, most blood tests are done on plasma instead of whole blood because of the interference of blood cells on detection results. Here, we developed a laminated microfluidic paper-based analytical device (L-μPAD) for the separation of plasma from whole blood without using plasma separation membrane (PSM). A lateral flow design consisting of a circular sampling zone and rectangular detection zone was patterned on the paper substrate using laser printing technology. The μPAD was then laminated after impregnation with KCl solution. Lamination and electrolyte addition represented synergistic effects on the separation by controlling the pore size of the paper. In addition, by preventing evaporation on one hand and squeezing paper pores on the other hand, lamination caused longer movement of the separated plasma, the longest plasma path reported so far. The separation process was monitored using colorimetric reagent bromocresol green and scanning electron microscopy. The process of separation was completed in less than 90 s without significant hemolysis and the separated plasma was far from the interfering effect of red blood cells. We used the device for the determination of serum albumin. However, it represents the potential for point-of-care testing in multi-assay experiments too.