# Automated microfluidic device for blood analysis in neonates

> **NIH NIH R42** · SERSENSE, INC. · 2024 · $780,138

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Premature infants are frequently at risk of infections, jaundice and hypoglycemia – conditions monitored by
analysis of blood for c-reactive protein (CRP), bilirubin and glucose respectively. Typically, 0.5 mL of blood is
drawn each time an infant is tested, with multiple blood draws happening over the course of days. Given that a
total blood volume for premature infants may be as little as 50 mL, up to 20% of blood volume may be lost due
to testing. This puts infants at risk of iatrogenic anemia and packed red blood cell transfusions. While these
transfusions are considered safe in many regards, they do expose neonates to transfusion-acquired infections,
cytomegalovirus in particular. Our team has identified a need for a volume-sparing blood analysis platform that
could be deployed in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). During Phase I of this STTR application, we de-
veloped a valve-enabled microfluidic device capable of isolating plasma and analyzing multiple biomarkers,
including glucose, from ~5 microliters of blood in under 10 min. Our device used ~100 fold less blood and de-
livered results 10 times faster compared to current assays while eliminating the need for benchtop laboratory
equipment (e.g. centrifuge for plasma separation). The microfluidic devices were prototyped in silicone rubber
(PDMS). During Phase II of the project, we will fabricate automated microfluidic devices using materials ame-
nable to scalable and inexpensive manufacturing. Our devices will be capable of detecting CRP, bilirubin and
glucose and will be suitable for operation at the point of care, in the NICU.
Broader impacts: The microfluidic device and control system to be developed in this project represent a plat-
form technology with broad utility for monitoring a wide range of analytes from a small blood volume. This
means that, in the future, the multiplexing capabilities of this technology may be enhanced to incorporate other
analytes relevant to neonatal health including but not limited to inflammatory cytokines for detection of sepsis,
potassium ions, calcium ions, and BUN.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10822187
- **Project number:** 2R42HD100251-02
- **Recipient organization:** SERSENSE, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Alan M Gonzalez-Suarez
- **Activity code:** R42 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $780,138
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2019-09-19 → 2026-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10822187

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10822187, Automated microfluidic device for blood analysis in neonates (2R42HD100251-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10822187. Licensed CC0.

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