Sensitive immunoassay of cardiac troponin I using an optimized microelectrode array in a novel integrated microfluidic electrochemical device

A sensitive and portable microfluidic electrochemical array device (μFED) was developed for the immunoassay of trace amounts of human cardiac troponin I (cTnI), which is an attractive biomarker for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The classical "sandwich" method was adopted for the immunoassay. The capture antibody was immobilized using a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) technique, and the process was reorganized to be compatible with the bonding process. The detection antibody was labeled with alkaline phosphatase (AP) for signal amplification. The performance of the μFED was improved by eliminating the shielding effect of the microelectrode array (MEA) integrated in the μFED. The effects of the interstice and the width of the MEA on the response peak current were analyzed and simulated. The concentration gradient, about 3% of the gradient at the surface, was considered as the criterion for estimation of the optimal interstice between electrodes, and its effectiveness was proved. A stable and miniaturized reference electrode was integrated in the μFED, and its potential deviation was less than 5 mV in 15 min. These efforts resulted in the enhanced immunoassay performance of the μFED. A low limit of detection of about 5 pg/mL was obtained in serum samples, and the response current was proportional to the logarithm of concentration from 50 pg/mL to 1 μg/mL. The immunoassay process was accomplished in 15 min. The μFED was thus qualified and is a promising candidate for point-of-care immunoassay of cTnI. Graphical abstract.