Salt and Pepper for Point-of-Care Diagnostics

Abstract Currently available Point-Of-Care-Testing (POCT) devices usually suffer from complex test formats and transduction technologies unfavorable for automation. Among optical sensor technologies, the Reflectometric Interference Spectroscopy (RIfS) is particularly well suited for generating miniaturized, robust and disposable sensors. RIfS systems are not only suitable for diagnostic applications, but are also a good choice for other areas of life-science analytics including biotechnology, food monitoring and safety engineering. Users take advantage of the direct test format by avoiding laborious sample pre-treatment as well as addition of costly reagents, both being common disadvantages of competing test systems.