3D printer-controlled syringe pumps for dual, active, regulable and
  simultaneous dispensing of reagents. Manufacturing of immunochromatographic
  test strips
Gabriel Siano Leandro Peretti Juan Manuel Marquez Nazarena Pujato Leonardo Giovanini Claudio Berli
Lateral flow immunoassays (LFIA) are widely used worldwide for the detection
of different analytes because they combine multiple advantages such as low
production cost, simplicity, and portability, which allows biomarkers detection
without requiring infrastructure or highly trained personnel. Here we propose
to provide solutions to the manufacturing process of LFIA at laboratory-scale,
particularly to the controlled and active dispensing of the reagents in the
form the Test Lines (TL) and the Control Lines (CL). To accomplish this task,
we adapted a 3D printer to also control Syringe Pumps (SP), since the proposed
adaptation of a 3D printer is easy, free and many laboratories already have it
in their infrastructure. In turn, the standard function of the 3D printer can
be easily restored by disconnecting the SPs and reconnecting the extruder.
Additionally, the unified control of the 3D printer enables dual, active,
regulable and simultaneous dispensing, four features that are typically found
only in certain high-cost commercial equipment. With the proposed setup, the
challenge of dispensing simultaneously at least 2 lines (CL and TL) with SPs
controlled by a 3D printer was addressed, including regulation in the width of
dispensed lines within experimental limits. Also, the construction of a LFIA
for the detection of leptospirosis is shown as a practical example of
automatized reagent dispensing.