Lab on chip for medical and clinical applications
Meaning A Lab-on-a-Chip (LoC) is a miniaturized device that integrates one or several laboratory functions—such as sample preparation, chemical reactions, separation, and detection—onto a single microchip. These systems use microfluidics to manipulate extremely small volumes of fluids (typically nanoliters to microliters), enabling rapid, precise, and automated analysis. In medical and clinical settings, LoC technology allows complex diagnostic and analytical procedures to be performed at the point of care rather than in centralized laboratories . Introduction Advancements in biomedical engineering and microfabrication have transformed traditional diagnostic methods, leading to the development of Lab-on-a-Chip technologies. Conventional laboratory diagnostics often require bulky equipment, trained personnel, long processing times, and large sample volumes. LoC devices address these limitations by offering compact, portable, and efficient diagnostic platforms. Their ability to...