A Nanomaterial-Integrated Paper Microfluidic Device for Detecting and Predicting Myocardial Infarctions

Cardiovascular disease kills 17.9 million people globally each year. 85% of these deaths were caused by either a myocardial infarction (heart attack) or stroke. Current tests for predicting heart attacks provide rapid results when presented with a blood sample, but these samples must be preprocessed using time-consuming methods. This project will develop a paper-based platform to detect heart attack markers in blood without external preprocessing. This will be accomplished by integrating a blood processing device into the testing platform. Ideally, this platform will predict heart attacks within five minutes of drawing blood from patients, facilitating life-saving medical treatment. The partner organization, Mitra Biotechnologies, previously developed a paper-based blood processing device. They are now partnering with researchers at the University of Waterloo with expertise in paper-based medical tests to turn this device into an all-in-one blood processing and testing platform that can be brought to market to save lives.

Faculty Supervisor:

Sushanta Mitra

Student:

Partner:

Mitra Biotechnologies Inc.

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

University of Waterloo

Program: