| Point of Care Testing Applications of Microfluidics | | | | sounds it has actually proved quite difficult to find |
| Technologies | | | | the right mix of need, volume and cost to break |
| | | | | into the complex established medical |
| Point-of-care diagnostics is a field just beginning | | | | infrastructure. |
| to hit its stride, according to many in the industry. | | | | |
| Advances in microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip | | | | The compelling advantage of true point-of-care |
| methodologies, miniaturization of testing methods | | | | diagnostics is of course fast results, right where |
| and improvements in detection technologies are | | | | they're needed, where getting test results in |
| leading the way. From bedside to battlefield, point | | | | minutes in an emergency can enable immediate |
| of- care diagnostics also represent one solution to | | | | critical treatment. There are, however, only a |
| helping solve a major healthcare challenge: how to | | | | handful of these critical applications, and most turn |
| do more with less. ( ) | | | | out not to be huge markets, typically generating |
| | | | | demand of under 500,000 units year. Other |
| Today, Point of care diagnostics represents 15% | | | | applications haven't gotten much traction, |
| of the In-Vitro Diagnostics market and has shown | | | | however, as it is not so clear just how much |
| tremendous growth over the last 3 years. This | | | | speed is worth, and just who most benefits. The |
| market share is expected to exceed 30% by | | | | medical benefit to the patient of a getting a |
| 2014. Key driver for growth will be bringing fast, | | | | diagnosis in minutes instead of days may be |
| low cost testing to high volumes of users at the | | | | marginal. The operational benefits to the system |
| point of care—but only if developers of the | | | | of increased efficiency and reduced costs may be |
| technology focus on the right application with real | | | | huge but they are likely to be too diffuse to have |
| benefit to specific purchasers, and bring together | | | | a clear champion. |
| disparate technologies into integrated systems for | | | | |
| simple, accurate and low cost tests. | | | | This report provides a segmentation of the |
| | | | | Point of Care market and a deep analysis of the |
| Point-of-care diagnostics has yet to develop into | | | | different applications for microfluidic technologies. |
| the big market many expected. Testing for | | | | By application, we describe the different |
| infectious diseases and applications in agriculture | | | | requirements such as target price, sample volume, |
| and environmental screening now look like the | | | | sensitivity… |
| most promising markets, as companies develop | | | | |
| more sophisticated integrated systems that go | | | | Over 40 new technologies and technologies in |
| beyond simple immunoassays to complex sample | | | | development are reviewed, considering the |
| preparation and molecular diagnostics at | | | | commercial status, the targeted applications and |
| reasonable cost. A focus on wellness testing also | | | | the addressable segments, the sample volume, |
| is expected to enhance the field. But don't expect | | | | the sensitivity level and the target price. We |
| point of care to surge overnight. Significant | | | | explain why disposable microfluidic devices will |
| hurdles remain in the technology itself and its | | | | need production costs under $5, for volumes |
| fusion into the healthcare system. | | | | ranging from 100,000- 1 million units per year, in |
| | | | | order to sell commercial tests for $50-$100 |
| REPORTS HIGHLIGHTS | | | | including reagents, marketing and distribution. This |
| | | | | value chain analysis is illustrated as well by a cost |
| The first issue is finding the real markets, where | | | | simulation of commercially available microfluidic |
| a point of care solution really matters enough to | | | | device. |
| some purchaser to drive demand. Obvious as this | | | | |