Advancing Hemoglobin Detection: Role of Microfluidics in Combating Anemia

The Importance of Hemoglobin:

Hemoglobin is a fundamental protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and returning carbon dioxide to the lungs for exhalation. Hemoglobin’s oxygen-binding capacity ensures that all tissues receive adequate oxygen to carry out essential metabolic processes. Its role is critical for energy production as well as for maintaining the body's homeostasis.

Deficiency in hemoglobin leads to anemia and it significantly impacts bodily functions. It impairs oxygen delivery, leading to fatigue, reduced cognitive and physical abilities, and a weakened immune response. Hence, it is important to maintain the optimal hemoglobin levels for overall health and well-being.

Hemoglobin Deficiency in India (Last Five Years):

India has one of the highest numbers of anemia patients in the world, primarily due to hemoglobin deficiency. Over the past five years, anemia has continued to be a severe public health issue, particularly affecting women and children. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-2021, anemia prevalence among children aged 6-59 months stood at 67.1%, a significant increase from 58.6% in 2015-2016 (NFHS-4). For women of reproductive age (15-49 years), the prevalence increased from 53.1% in NFHS-4 to 57% in NFHS-5 .

This rise in anemia can be attributed to several factors, including inadequate dietary intake of iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid, poor hygiene, parasitic infections, and the high prevalence of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Programs like Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB), launched in 2018, aimed to reduce the prevalence of anemia in the country through targeted interventions, including iron and folic acid supplementation and dietary diversification. 

Emerging Technologies-Hemoglobin Detection:

Accurate and timely detection of hemoglobin levels is essential for managing anemia and related conditions. Traditional laboratory methods, such as the Cyanmethemoglobin method and Automated Hematology Analyzers often require laboratory infrastructure, trained personnel, and a longer time to process the results. Newer, emerging technologies are trying to address these limitations by offering faster, more portable, and non-invasive methods for hemoglobin detection.

Non-Invasive Hemoglobin Detection methods:

Non-invasive devices allow the measurement of hemoglobin without the need for blood samples. These devices use technologies such as Optical Sensors and Spectroscopy to estimate hemoglobin levels through the skin or other tissues. For example “Pulse CO-oximetry” uses light waves to measure hemoglobin saturation in blood. This technology has gained traction in both clinical and point-of-care settings due to its quick and painless nature.

Biosensors and Point-of-Care Devices:

Biosensors are another emerging technology, leveraging biochemical reactions to detect hemoglobin in blood samples with high sensitivity. These portable devices offer real-time results and are ideal for point-of-care settings. By providing rapid, on-the-spot hemoglobin measurement, these technologies are helping healthcare providers make faster and more accurate diagnoses.

Role of Microfluidics-Hemoglobin Detection:

Microfluidics, the science of manipulating small fluid volumes in microchannels, plays a transformative role in medical diagnostics, including hemoglobin detection. Microfluidic devices allow precise control over fluid flow, enabling efficient sample preparation, reagent mixing, and analysis. These devices require only minute quantities of blood and offer faster processing times, making them ideal for rapid and point-of-care testing. Microfluidic technologies offer several advantages in hemoglobin detection, such as: High sensitivity, reduced sample volume, rapid turnaround, multiplexing capability, cost efficiency, and portability etc.,

Microfluidic Technologies in Hemoglobin Detection:

Several innovative microfluidic technologies have been developed to improve the accuracy and speed of hemoglobin detection. These devices typically involve the flow of blood through tiny channels etched into a glass/silicon/plastic chip. The hemoglobin is then detected using a range of methods, such as Optical, Electrochemical, or Colorimetric detection. One example is the use of optical sensors within microfluidic devices to quantify hemoglobin concentration based on light absorption or scattering.

Companies-Hemoglobin Detection:

Several companies have developed technologies for hemoglobin detection, offering both traditional laboratory methods and state-of-the-art point-of-care devices:

• Abbott Laboratories: Abbott offers the HemoCue® Hb 201+ System, a point-of-care device for hemoglobin measurement widely used in hospitals and clinics.

• Siemens Healthineers: Siemens provides laboratory analyzers for comprehensive blood testing, including hemoglobin measurement.

• Roche Diagnostics: Roche’s laboratory systems include hematology analyzers that measure hemoglobin levels with high precision.

• HemoCue AB: HemoCue is a global leader in hemoglobin measurement devices, offering portable analyzers that are widely adopted in low-resource settings.

These companies are trying to bring reliable and accessible hemoglobin testing to a broad spectrum of healthcare environments, from high-end laboratories to remote field settings.

Start-ups-Hemoglobin Detection: 

Several start-ups are pushing the boundaries of hemoglobin detection with innovative solutions. Few noteworthy start-ups making strides in this area are:

• Nanobiosym (USA): This company focuses on nano-scale technologies for rapid hemoglobin detection and other diagnostics (https://www.nanobiosym.com/).

• DiaMonTech (Germany): DiaMonTech is developing non-invasive, photonic-based devices for glucose and hemoglobin monitoring (https://www.diamontech.de/en/home).

• Epinex Diagnostics (USA): Epinex specializes in point-of-care devices for hemoglobin and other biomarker detection (https://www.epinex.com/).

• HemoSonics (USA): Innovates microfluidic-based devices for real-time hemoglobin and blood clotting measurements (https://hemosonics.com).

• SpotLab (Spain): A start-up focused on smartphone-based diagnostics, including hemoglobin and anemia testing(https://spotlab.ai/).

• Biosens (India): Develops low-cost hemoglobin testing device ToucHb, aimed at undeserved populations(https://www.biosense.in)

• PixCell Medical (Israel): Specializes in microfluidic hematology analyzers HemoScreen™ for fast and accurate blood diagnostics(www.pixcell-medical.com)

• EzeRx Health Tech (India): A start-up working on affordable, portable hemoglobin analyzers (https://ezerx.in/ezecheck)

Challenges in Hemoglobin Detection:

Despite technological advancements, several challenges remain in hemoglobin detection:

• Cost and Accessibility: Many cutting-edge devices, especially non-invasive technologies, remain costly and inaccessible in low-resource settings.

• Accuracy: While non-invasive methods provide convenience, their accuracy is sometimes lower than traditional blood tests.

• Infrastructure: In rural and underdeveloped regions, the lack of healthcare infrastructure, reliable power, and trained personnel hampers the deployment of advanced diagnostic tools.

Summary:

Hemoglobin detection technologies have come a long way, driven by innovations in microfluidics, non-invasive techniques, and biosensors. These advancements offer the potential to address the global burden of anemia, particularly in low-resource regions like India. Microfluidics has emerged as a critical technology for creating portable, cost-effective, and rapid diagnostic tools, making it easier to monitor hemoglobin levels in both clinical and remote settings.

To combat the challenges of anemia globally, it is essential to continue developing affordable, accessible diagnostic tools that can be used at the point of care. Governments, healthcare organizations, and technology companies must work together to ensure these technologies reach the populations that need them the most. Integration of hemoglobin detection tools into national health programs, along with ongoing public health education and nutritional interventions, will be critical for reducing the prevalence of anemia and improving global health outcomes.

While technological innovations have opened new frontiers in hemoglobin detection, continued efforts to improve affordability, accessibility, and accuracy are necessary to address the growing burden of hemoglobin deficiency worldwide.

Disclaimer: Writing is my hobby. This article is for information purpose only. This article nowhere related to my current, past or future organizations.