Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 Jul 8:15:e00455.
doi: 10.1016/j.ohx.2023.e00455. eCollection 2023 Sep.

SALAD: Syringe-based Arduino-operated Low-cost Antibody Dispenser

Anh Phuc Hoang Le  1   2 , Quang Lam Nguyen  1   2 , Bao Hoai Pham  1   2 , Thien Hoang Minh Cao  1   2 , Toi Van Vo  1   2 , Khon Huynh  1   2 , Huong Thi Thanh Ha  1   2
Affiliations

SALAD: Syringe-based Arduino-operated Low-cost Antibody Dispenser

Anh Phuc Hoang Le et al. HardwareX. .

Abstract

Lateral Flow Assays (LFA) have been one of the most widely adopted technologies in clinical diagnosis over recent years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to their feasibility, compactness, and rapid readout. However, the precise dispensing of antibodies-a key part of the fabrication process-requires costly line dispenser equipment, which poses a challenge to researchers with limited budgets. This study aims to resolve this key issue by introducing a Syringe-based Arduino-operated Low-cost Antibody Dispenser (SALAD). By utilizing a microneedle, stepper motor-driven syringe pump, and conveyor belt, SALAD can form micro-droplets to create an even band of antibodies. Our evaluation results showed comparable performance between SALAD and a commercialized model - Claremont ALFRD, with SALAD exceeding in affordability and feasibility. SALAD yielded an even signal, uniform bandwidth, and low background noise, yet optimization in the conveyor belt should be considered to enhance stability. With a low manufacturing cost ($200.61) compared to the commercialized models, our model is expected to provide an affordable approach for LFA researchers.

Keywords: Antibody; Arduino; Dispensers; Lateral Flow Assays; Low-cost; Point-of-care.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

None
Graphical abstract
Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Line Dispenser Design Overview.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
TB6600 Motor Drivers (A). Setup Information and (B). Set Up Switches.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Line Dispenser Circuit Schematic Design.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Connecting the Oy and Ox Actuators using Galvanized Irons; (A). Behind Angle; (B) Right-side Angle; (C). Left-side angle.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
(A) CNC cutting of Needle Handle; (B) Real Images and Position of Needle Handle.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
(A) CNC cutting of Stepper Top Shelf; Stepper Shelf Top Real Image and Position in (B) Oy Actuators and (C) Ox Actuators.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
(A) CNC cutting of Plate Pusher; (B) Real Image and Location of Plate Pusher.
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
(A) CNC cutting of Membrane Plate; (B) Real Image of Membrane Plate.
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
CNC cutting of Vertical Frame on the (A) Left side and (B) Right side; Real Image and Location of Vertical Frame in (C) Oy Actuators and (D) Ox Actuators.
Fig. 10
Fig. 10
CNC cutting of (A) Right Sliding Plate Holder and (B) Left Sliding Plate Holder; Real Image and Location of (C) Right Sliding Plate Holder and (D) Left Sliding Plate Holder.
Fig. 11
Fig. 11
Image of SALAD in 4 different angles (A) Front-rear Angle, (B) Behind Angle, (C) Right-side Angle, (D) Left-side Angle.
Fig. 12
Fig. 12
The Operation of Two Buttons.
Fig. 13
Fig. 13
(A) LCD Screen with Four Modifiable variables (Delay time, Running time, Speed of Stepper Motor 1, and Stepper Motor 2). (B) Placing the Needle Syringe into the Needle Handle.
Fig. 14
Fig. 14
Full Setup of SALAD.
Fig. 15
Fig. 15
Study design of the evaluation process.
Fig. 16
Fig. 16
Claremont Bio Automated Lateral Flow Reagent Dispenser (Claremont ALFRD).
Fig. 17
Fig. 17
Checkpoint 1 results from SALAD (n = 14), manual methods (n = 9). Imaging results from (A) SALAD, (B) Manual methods: Comparison amongst three SALAD settings – 10.5.2.15 (n = 4), 10.5.1.15 (n = 3), 10.5.0.16 (n = 4) in (C) dispensed rate and (D) bandwidth. The name of the settings was labeled following this principle: M2 - M1 - delay - total runtime).
Fig. 18
Fig. 18
Checkpoint 2 results from Claremont ALFRD (n = 7), SALAD (n = 7), manual methods (n = 8): Imaging results from (A) Claremont, (B) SALAD, (C) Manual methods (yellow dots indicate the position of antibody band); Comparison between Claremont and SALAD in (D) bandwidth and (E) dispensed length; (F) Table showing descriptive statistics (Mean ± Std) of Claremont and SALAD in bandwidth, length, and average signal intensity; Comparison between Claremont and SALAD in (G) average signal intensity, (H) pixel densitometry, (I) SNR; (J) Table showing descriptive statistics (Mean ± Std) in pixel densitometry’s kurtosis and skewness, and their SNR. (For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.)
Fig. 19
Fig. 19
Checkpoint 3 results from Claremont ALFRD (n = 12) and SALAD (n = 13): Imaging results from (A) Claremont, (B) SALAD; Comparison between Claremont and SALAD in (C) bandwidth, (D) average signal intensity and (E) SNR; (F) Table showing descriptive statistics (Mean ± Std) of Claremont and SALAD in bandwidth and mean signal intensity; Comparison between Claremont and SALAD in (G) pixel densitometry; (H) Assembly of the lateral flow wick; (I) Table showing descriptive statistics (Mean ± Std) of Claremont and SALAD in pixel densitometry’s kurtosis and skewness, and their SNR.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Zhou Y., Wu Y., Ding L., Huang X., Xiong Y. Point-of-care COVID-19 diagnostics powered by lateral flow assay. TrAC Trends Anal. Chem. 2021;145 doi: 10.1016/j.trac.2021.116452. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Kasetsirikul S., Shiddiky M.J.A., Nguyen N.T. Challenges and perspectives in the development of paper-based lateral flow assays. Microfluid Nanofluid. 2020;24:17. doi: 10.1007/s10404-020-2321-z. - DOI
    1. Sajid M., Kawde A.N., Daud M. Designs., formats and applications of lateral flow assay: A literature review. J. Saudi Chem. Soc. 2015;19(6):689–705. doi: 10.1016/j.jscs.2014.09.001. - DOI
    1. Koczula K.M., Gallotta A. Lateral flow assays. Essays in Biochemistry. 2016;60(1):111–120. doi: 10.1042/EBC20150012. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Boehringer H.R., O’Farrell B.J. Lateral flow assays in infectious disease diagnosis. Clin. Chem. 2022;68(1):52–58. doi: 10.1093/clinchem/hvab194. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources