In the field of blood transfusion, there is a need to improve the bedside pre-transfusion ABO compatibility test. In France, this test is mandatory for each red cell concentrates transfusion. It is performed manually and serious transfusion accidents still occur, principally due to human errors. Therefore, an automated ABO compatibility test is required. Works concerning objective interpretation of ABO compatibility test have been reported but the proposed techniques cannot be easily translated to the patient's bedside. We propose a prototype device which demonstrates the easy use of biochip technology to perform this test: it contains a fluidic system, biochips (two to test the patient and two to test the red cell concentrates) and an optical absorbance detection module. When blood is applied to the biochips, red blood cells are trapped onto the surface if antigens and antibodies are complementary (positive chips). If they are not complementary, very little red blood cells are adsorbed (negative chips). Percentages of surface covered with red blood cells in negative biochips are 2%±2 (red cell concentrates) and 1%±1 (whole blood). This proves that the fluidic configuration leads to an optimum control of fluids flows with little retention of red blood cells in the circuitry. These percentages increase to 96%±3 and 82%±8 for red cell concentrates and whole blood respectively. This demonstrates a strong and specific immunocapture of red blood cells on positive chips. Furthermore, optical detection proves to be efficient at critical red blood cells concentrations (108C/mL) and absorbance strongly correlates to the percentage of red blood cells captured by antibodies.

In France, before each transfusion, ABO compatibility test is required. The ultimate pre-transfusion test is manually performed by means of a dedicated card and interpreted by nurses at the patient bedside. Despite this manual test, blood transfusion accidents still exist. Today, no bedside test is completely reliable and the current procedure does not prevent human errors. We propose a new opto-ftuidic device based on the concept of protein biochips and optical detection. Biochips, playing the same role as the reaction zones of the current pre-transfusion cards, are placed into single-use cartridges. ABO compatibility test is automatically performed by means of an external reader/actuator. This project reinforces transfusion safety not only for patients but also for caregivers.

Before each transfusion of red blood cell concentrate, a final ABO compatibility test is carried out at the patient's bedside on a piece of card and interpreted visually. Despite this ultimate test, transfusion accidents still occur due to group incompatibility, which can be lethal. In order to improve this test, we have developed a specific device based on microarrays for the validation of a smart and safe transfuser in the context of critical transfusional situations.