![]() We demonstrate the utility of such a system for the automated staining of malaria parasites. This system represents a straightforward method to combine recent developments in paper microfluidics for sample preparation with traditional optical microscopy. Dead-end filling, 9 with air displaced through hydrophobic gaps, prevents leaking, and the novel inclusion of a snorkel removes air bubbles. 1–8 We describe a paper microfluidic cartridge for the automated staining of malaria parasites in a cellulose matrix, followed by ejection of the parasites via capillary forces from a paper substrate into an optically transparent chamber suitable for microscopy. Introduction Paper microfluidics utilizes the interstitial spaces within cellulose fibers as chemical reaction zones, and capillarity as a pumping mechanism, to enable chemical unit operations in an inexpensive format that is particularly amenable for limited resource settings. The cartridge contains both a thin smear region, where a single layer of cells is presented unobstructed, for ease of species identification, and a thick smear region, containing multiple cell layers, for enhanced limit of detection. A hydrophobic snorkel facilitates the removal of air bubbles during filling. ![]() The unique slanted design of the chamber ensures that a high percentage of the stained blood will be of the required thickness for a thin smear, without resorting to spacers or other methods that can increase production cost or require tight quality controls. ![]() Parasites are stained in a cellulose matrix, after which the parasites are ejected via capillary forces into an optically transparent chamber. The cartridge enables simultaneous, sub-minute generation of both thin and thick smears of acridine orange stained parasites. A paper microfluidic cartridge for the automated staining of malaria parasites ( Plasmodium) with acridine orange prior to microscopy is presented.
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