LTCC based microfluidic system with optical detection

The simple and inexpensive Low Temperature Cofired Ceramics (LTCC) microfluidic device with an integrated fiber optics and a temperature control system is designed, manufactured and tested. As the first step, the test structure with mixing meander, a Y-shape reagents junction and fluid inputs/output is made in order to check mixing effectiveness, leak proofness, and to carry out pressure tests. Standard solutions of creatinine are used for transmittance measurements. The detection system with optical fibers integrated in the LTCC module is evaluated for transmittance and fluorescence measurements by solution of Cu(NH3)(4)(2+) and fluorescein, respectively. The constructed structure is found to be a very useful device in chemical analysis. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.