Snap Lab
A previous ClinLabNavigator blog posted on January 15, 2015, listed several companies that are developing exciting new disruptive innovations that will drastically change clinical laboratories in the not too distant future. Most of these products are based on two dimensional microfluidic technology.
Recently, Dr. Francis Collins described another exciting development in his NIH Director’s Blog, posted on May 7, 2015. He described Snap lab, which was developed by Noah Malmstadt at the University of Southern California Viberbi School of Engineering.
The basic building block of snap lab is a one centimeter plastic cube containing microfluidic channels that can be snapped together to create three dimensional microlabs. These modular units can be used for multiplex testing on blood and body fluids.
Miniaturization of laboratory instruments will decentralize testing and improve patient access to laboratory services. They will also provide universal access to test results through true wireless technology.
More information can be found in the original reference.
Discrete elements for 3D microfluidics. Bhargava KC, Thompson B, Malmstadt N. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Oct 21;111(42):15013-8.
A picture of snap lab can be viewed on the NIH Director’s Blog, May 7, 2015 by Dr. Francis Collins.
