Paper substrate diagnostic apparatus and related methods and systems

Abstract

Example paper substrate diagnostic apparatus and related methods and systems are disclosed herein. An example substrate-based diagnostic device includes a hydrophobic substrate, an electrode disposed on a surface of the hydrophobic substrate, a layer of reagent disposed on or near the electrode, and a layer of hydrophilic ink disposed over the electrode and the layer of reagent. The hydrophilic ink is to wick a sample to the layer of reagent.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A substrate-based diagnostic device:
 a hydrophobic substrate;   an electrode disposed on a surface of the hydrophobic substrate;   a layer of reagent disposed on or near the electrode; and   a layer of hydrophilic ink disposed over the electrode and the layer of reagent, the layer of hydrophilic ink to wick a sample to the layer of reagent.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic substrate includes a hydrophobic ink. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the layer of reagent is disposed on a top surface of the electrode. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the layer of reagent is disposed on a side surface of the electrode. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the layer of reagent is disposed in a hydrogel. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the layer of reagent is functionalized onto the electrode. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the layer of reagent is a first reagent, further including a second layer of reagent disposed on or near the electrode. 
     
     
         8 . A method of manufacturing a substrate-based diagnostic device, the method comprising:
 depositing an electrode on a surface of a hydrophobic substrate;   depositing a layer of a reagent on or near the electrode; and   depositing a layer of hydrophilic ink over the electrode and the layer of reagent, the layer of hydrophilic ink to wick a sample to the layer of reagent.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further including at least one of flexographic printing, screen printing, stencil printing, or inkjet printing hydrophobic ink on or into a substrate to form hydrophobic substrate. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the layer of reagent is a first layer of reagent, further including depositing a second layer of reagent on or near the electrode. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein depositing the layer of reagent includes depositing the layer of reagent on a top surface of the electrode. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein depositing the layer of reagent includes depositing the layer of reagent on a side surface of the electrode. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein depositing the layer of reagent includes suspending a reagent in a hydrogel.