The Liege-based company specialising in laser technology, Lasea, has developed Microlab. The project aims to create machines capable of manufacturing a chip-sized micro-laboratory.
In practice, this would be an analysis kit that operates like a blood test, but on a microscopic scale. A project that its promoters are describing as ambitious, but also futuristic since technology in the medical and clinical field is constantly evolving.
The electronic chip will fulfil the same function as clinical laboratories where each one conducts blood tests. Indeed, the individual will be able to purchase a disposable chip similar to a diagnostic kit, but faster and more personalised.
It will be comprised of micro-channels housing the mix of reagents needed for the analysis. A concept that requires cutting-edge technology for its design. That's where Lasea comes in. The company develops the machines which will enable these chips to be manufactured, mainly for large international organisations. In addition to the diagnostic system, these chips will also allow an application in research through molecular analysis.
"We are entering the new market of micro-fluid systems, i.e. micro-laboratories", explains Axel Kupisiewicz, Founder and CEO of Lasea.
"This is a booming sector which should replace blood analyses. A research project is starting where we will develop the machine that manufactures the component. We use femtosecond lasers that produce ultra-short pulses, equivalent to 10 to 15 seconds. These lasers do not heat the materials. With these types of laser, we can make very fine micro-channels. Our latest achievements had a resolution 250 times less than the diameter of a hair", adds Axel Kupisiewicz, Founder and CEO of Lasea.
Currently in the development phase, these machines should be on sale by the end of 2018.
