Technology in Action – Onboard Microheaters
Integrating an Onboard Heater into IVD Disposable Electrodes for Biomarker Detection
At Flexmedical Solutions, we’re seeing a clear shift in the diagnostics landscape. Innovators are demanding more from their disposable IVD platforms – greater sensitivity, faster results, and tighter control over assay conditions. To meet these evolving needs, one technology is gaining real traction: the integration of onboard microheaters into screen-printed electrodes.
In the fast-paced world of In Vitro Diagnostics, optimising assay performance is critical. Onboard heaters enable precise thermal control, directly within the test strip – enhancing biomolecular interactions, improving reproducibility, and accelerating results at the point of care.
Why Temperature Control Matters
Many biochemical reactions – especially enzyme-mediated assays and hybridisation-based diagnostics – are highly sensitive to temperature. By integrating a microheater directly into the electrode architecture, we can apply localised, low-power heating to drive more efficient reactions.
Take immunoassays, for example: controlled heating can improve antigen-antibody binding, leading to stronger signals and more accurate readings.
How It’s Done
The process typically involves utilising conductive materials – such as carbon, silver, or gold – onto flexible substrates like PET. The heater can be precisely patterned to align with the electrode area, ensuring even heat distribution across the sensing surface, while maintaining low power requirements.
Smarter, Simpler Devices
Perhaps the most exciting part? Onboard heating eliminates the need for bulky external hardware. This opens the door for compact, low-cost diagnostic devices, ideal for resource-limited settings or rapid, on-site testing – without sacrificing performance.
As IVD technology advances, combining thermal control with biosensing functionality in a single, disposable device will play a key role in enabling faster, more reliable biomarker detection.
What’s Next?
At Flexmedical Solutions, we know that in diagnostics, speed matters. Turning smart ideas into functional, test-ready prototypes – quickly and reliably – is what we do best.
We’re already producing onboard-heated electrodes as part of our expanding capabilities in biosensor fabrication.
Watch this space for further updates in the microheater series, as we bring this innovative technology to life!