Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / For the past decade, many microfluidic paper-based analytical devices have been developed and used in different research fields. These devices are low-cost, portable, flexible, sterilizable, disposable, and easy to manufacture. The microfluidic paper-based analytical devices offer good alternatives to measurements and assays commonly performed in laboratories for analytical and clinical purposes, especially in diagnostics. In this work, we developed an electrochemical paper-based pH sensor. The determination of pH is essential in applications in areas as diverse as in the food industry, agriculture, health care or water treatment. The method presented in this work is an electroanalytical method that involves quantification of pH using stencil-painted graphite electrodes. Preliminary tests showed that pH can be determined on paper-based devices, thus indicating the presence of electroactive elements sensitive to pH on the surface of our electrodes (Chapter 4). Chemical modification of the electrode by adsorption with sodium carbonate and modification of the surface of the electrode was accomplished via: oxygen (ambient air) plasma treatment and pure oxygen plasma treatment. These treatments were to attempt to improve the definition of redox peaks on the CVs (Chapter 5). The changes made to the design of the paper-based device and the addition of a conditioning step improved the definition of the redox peaks on the CVs and increased the pH-sensing ability of our method (Chapter 6). The pH-sensing ability of our method was evaluated by testing solutions over a wide pH range. Adding sodium chloride to samples adjust the solution for accurate pH determination. The pH was successfully measured for solutions with values ranging from 1 to 13 and for artificial saliva samples prepared with pH values in the cavity-prone range (Chapter 7). This work offers a method that uses electroactive elements sensitive to pH on the surface of the PBD electrodes for pH-sensing.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are a global threat due to their destructive potential, the easy access to raw materials, and online instructions to manufacture them. These circumstances have led to an increase in the number of IEDs using potassium chlorate as an oxidizer. The standard methods to detect chlorate are mainly designed for laboratory-only testing. Thus, field instrumentation capable of detecting oxidizers from explosives fuel-oxidizers is critical for crime scene investigation and counterterrorism efforts (described in Chapter 1). We developed a paper-based sensor for the in-field detection of chlorate (described in Chapter 2). The sensor is low-cost, disposable, portable, and inexpensive to fabricate, and its flexibility features allow for surface sampling without sample destruction. The sensor has an electrodeposited molybdate sensing layer, as chlorate was reported to have a catalytic effect on the molybdate reduction. The chlorate detection relies on monitoring the change in redox activity of the molybdate sensing layer using different electroanalytical techniques. We effectively demonstrated the analytical performance of the sensor (Chapter 3), obtaining a limit of detection of 1.2 mM and a limit of quantification of 4.10 mM. We evaluated the selectivity of the sensor by testing other oxidizers, such as perchlorate and nitrate, which did not present any electrochemical activity with the molybdate sensing layer. Additionally, we performed an interferent study with sugar, commonly used as fuel in IEDs, and other common white household powders such as baking soda, flour, and corn starch and neither a false positive nor a false negative result was observed (Chapter 3). As bromate has been reported to have a stronger catalytic effect than chlorate on the redox activity of molybdate, the quantification of bromate was also explored, and a bromate sensor was developed using the findings of the chlorate sensor (Chapter 4). The reaction mechanism involved in the molybdate reduction was explored and discussed in Chapter 5. The capability of the sensor in detecting chlorate from combusted samples and post-blast samples was successfully demonstrated in Chapter 6, as well as the design of encased prototypes to allow for an in-field presumptive test, storage, and transport for in-laboratory confirmatory tests and compared the performance of the sensor to the available commercial tests.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Chemistry / Christopher T. Culbertson / As the field of separation science evolves so do the techniques, tools and capabilities of the discipline. The introduction of microfluidics stemmed from a desire to perform traditional analyses faster and on a much smaller scale. The small device sizes exploited in microfluidics permits the investigation of very small volumes of very dilute samples yielding information inaccessible by traditional macroscale techniques. All of the chapters presented in this dissertation illustrate attempts to supplement current microscale techniques with new tools, techniques and analysis schemes for looking at biologically relevant analyses. In chapter two I present the development and characterization of an amphiphilic polymer that has potential as a material for the fabrication of microfluidic devices. This material is composed of a poly(dimethylsiloxane)-poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymer and is dramatically more hydrophilic than the other polymeric materials currently used for the fabrication of microfluidic templates, mainly poly(dimethylsiloxane). Biomolecules such as proteins are notoriously hydrophobic and will tend to adsorb to other hydrophobic surfaces thus the use of a hydrophilic material may serve to reduce or eliminate this problem. The amphiphilic material is of a suitable durability for micromolding and molded channel architectures can be sealed between two layers of the material by simple conformal contact permitting the execution of high speed electrophoretic separations. Chapter three contains initial results obtained while investigating the fluorescent labeling and electrophoretic separation of ecdysteroids. Ecdysteroids are hormones found in insects that are responsible for controlling the process of molting. Here we attempted to analyze these molecules by employing a reactive fluorescent probe, BODIPY FL® hydrazide, that would target the α,β-unsaturated ketone group on the steroid, permitting its analysis by capillary electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence detection. While optimistic initial results were obtained with the labeling and analysis of similar functional groups on model compounds such as progesterone, labeling of the ecdysteroid molecules was never achieved to a degree that would permit reliable analysis. In chapter four I report the development and use of a microimmunoaffinity column for the analysis of insect serine protease inhibitors, or serpins. These proteins play a very important role in the regulation of insect immune responses and their activity may play an integral role in the effective transmission of the malaria parasite by the mosquito Anopheles gambiae. A microimmunoaffinity column was constructed from magnets, poly(dimethylsiloxane), fused silica capillary and Protein A coated magnetic microspheres. In these initial studies, purified antibodies to serpin protein, as well as purified serpin protein, were used to prepare and investigate the ability to isolate, preconcentrate, and elute serpin proteins for subsequent analysis. By implementing this miniaturized system which incorporates very small fluid volumes we hoped to extend this technique to the analysis of very small samples, and eventually to the analysis of individual small insects. Our work indicates that it is possible to isolate, elute, and detect serpin protein on a traditional western blot membrane. Chapter five presents the development of a novel polymer blend for the fabrication of paper-based microfluidic devices and use of these devices in the performance of diagnostically relevant clinical assays. We took the concept of paper-based microfluidic devices and improved upon the current photoactive polymers used for their fabrication by developing a polymer blend using an acryloxy modified siloxane polymer as well as a commercially available photoactive adhesive, Norland Optical Adhesive 74. This blended polymer resulted in a dramatic reduction in fabrication time as well as improved resolution permitting the reliable patterning of small feature sizes. We also report for the first time a demonstration of these devices performing a two-step spatially separated online chemical derivatization facilitating the analysis of urinary ketones. These devices are predominantly used for the analysis of urine, and their application was extended to the quantitation of nitrite in saliva for the purposes of hemodialysis monitoring. While varied in application, all of the data presented in this dissertation exploits the power of miniaturization to improve current methods of analysis and to extend macroscale techniques to trace biological analytes.

Orientador: Lauro Tatsuo Kubota / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T12:03:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Santhiago_Murilo_D.pdf: 3375339 bytes, checksum: 5d945dd23cfef732a3e3d083685bedc0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: Neste trabalho descreve-se a construção e aplicação de dispositivos analíticos 2D e 3D à base de papel com detecção eletroquímica (ePAD). Os dispositivos foram construídos empregando o método de impressão com cera e diferentes tipos de papéis. Eletrodos de ouro foram utilizados juntamente com o conceito da separação cromatográfica em dispositivos microfluídicos. No canal microfluídico à base de papel foi possível realizar a separação de ácido ascórbico e dopamina em 14 minutos. A necessidade por processos de fabricação mais simples e de baixo custo nos motivou a estudar eletrodos de carbono em ePADs. Assim, eletrodos de grafite de lapiseira foram selecionados visando o desenvolvimento de um biossensor para glicose. O biossensor apresentou uma excelente resposta eletroquímica e um tempo de análise de 4 minutos. O mesmo eletrodo de grafite foi acoplado com um sistema de informação para determinação de p-nitrofenol. Assim, foi possível detectar 1,0 mmol L de p-nitrofenol em amostras de água e analisar/interpretar os resultados empregando um celular. Por fim, a necessidade por sistemas eletroquímicos com menores limites de detecção nos impulsionou a fabricar microeletrodos de pasta de carbono. Os microeletrodos foram fabricados em folhas de transparência e acoplados no papel empregando uma configuração do tipo sanduíche. Os dispositivos foram caracterizados eletroquimicamente na presença de cisteína e apresentaram uma constante cinética de 10 L mol s. Um limite de detecção de 4,8 mmol L para cisteína foi obtido empregando um arranjo de microeletrodos. Por fim, os microeletrodos de pasta de carbono foram utilizados para a construção de um biossensor visando a determinação de metil paration. O ePAD foi construído de modo a acomodar o substrato (acetiltiocolina) e a enzima (acetilcolinesterase) no mesmo dispositivo / Abstract: This thesis describes the construction and application of 2D and 3D electrochemical paper-based analytical devices (ePADs). The devices were constructed using the wax printing method and different types of papers. Gold electrodes were employed along with the concept of chromatographic separation in microfluidic devices. By using the paper-based microfluidic channel it was possible to perform the separation of ascorbic acid and dopamine in 14 minutes. The need for simpler and low cost manufacturing processes motivated us to study carbon electrodes in ePADs. Thus, pencil graphite electrodes were selected for the development of a biosensor for glucose. The biosensor exhibited excellent electrochemical response and analysis time of 4 minutes. The same graphite electrode was coupled to an information system for the determination of p-nitrophenol. Thus, it was possible to detect 1.0 mmol L of p-nitrophenol in water samples and analyze/interpret the results using a smartphone. Finally, the need for electrochemical systems with lower limits of detection made us to search for carbon paste microelectrodes. The microelectrodes were fabricated on transparency sheets and coupled on paper using a sandwich-type configuration. The devices were characterized electrochemically in the presence of cysteine and had a rate constant of 10 L mol s. A detection limit of 4.8 mmol L for cysteine was obtained using an array of microelectrodes. By last, carbon paste microelectrodes were used to construct a biosensor in order to determine methyl parathion. The ePAD was constructed to accommodate the substrate (acetylthiocholine ) and enzyme ( acetylcholinesterase ) in the same device / Doutorado / Quimica Analitica / Doutor em Ciências

<p> </p> <p><em>Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are a global threat due to their destructive potential, the easy access to raw materials, and online instructions to manufacture them. These circumstances have led to an increase in the number of IEDs using potassium chlorate as an oxidizer. The standard methods to detect chlorate are mainly designed for laboratory-only testing. Thus, field instrumentation capable of detecting oxidizers from explosives fuel-oxidizers is critical for crime scene investigation and counterterrorism efforts (described in Chapter 1). We developed a paper-based sensor for the in-field detection of chlorate (described in Chapter 2). The sensor is low-cost, disposable, portable, and inexpensive to fabricate, and its flexibility features allow for surface sampling without sample destruction. The sensor has an electrodeposited molybdate sensing layer, as chlorate was reported to have a catalytic effect on the molybdate reduction. The chlorate detection relies on monitoring the change in redox activity of the molybdate sensing layer using different electroanalytical techniques. We effectively demonstrated the analytical performance of the sensor (Chapter 3), obtaining a limit of detection of 1.2 mM and a limit of quantification of 4.10 mM. We evaluated the selectivity of the sensor by testing other oxidizers, such as perchlorate and nitrate, which did not present any electrochemical activity with the molybdate sensing layer.</em></p> <p><em>Additionally, we performed an interferent study with sugar, commonly used as fuel in IEDs, and other common white household powders such as baking soda, flour, and corn starch and neither a false positive nor a false negative result was observed (Chapter 3). As bromate has been reported to have a stronger catalytic effect than chlorate on the redox activity of molybdate, the quantification of bromate was also explored, and a bromate sensor was developed using the findings of the chlorate sensor (Chapter 4). The reaction mechanism involved in the molybdate</em></p> <p><em>reduction was explored and discussed in Chapter 5. The capability of the sensor in detecting chlorate from combusted samples and post-blast samples was successfully demonstrated in Chapter 6, as well as the design of encased prototypes to allow for an in-field presumptive test, storage, and transport for in-laboratory confirmatory tests and compared the performance of the sensor to the available commercial tests.</em></p>

<p>Research in paper-based analytical devices has been increasing rapidly in recent years. Manyof these devices are used as low-cost alternatives for diagnostics and biosensing. In this work,two novel paper-based technologies were developed.</p> <p>The first paper-based technology achieved was measuring streaming potential on paper-based microfluidic devices. The streaming potential measurements were able to detect the presence of adsorbed polyvinylamine or potassium polyvinylsulfate in paper-based microfluidic channels.</p> <p>The measured streaming potential ranged from -80 mV to 80 mV and the polarity was sensitive to the adsorbed polymer. Furthermore, the measured streaming potential on paper treated with BSA showed a polarity switch when the pH was changed from below the pKa to above the pKa of BSA. Lastly, streaming potential measurements may provide an electronic interface for paperbased sensors.</p> <p>The second technology developed was a paper-based chromatographic pre-concentration device for biological and chemical applications. The device successfully concentrated a protein, streptavidin, via biotinylated microgels immobilized onto a selected area of the filter paper. The device was able to process a large volume of fluid with the incorporation of a passive pump made of superabsorbent polymer. The concentration factor achieved by the device was over 3000-fold. The flow dynamics through the paper was modeled using Darcy’s law. This technology could be an excellent low-cost alternative for biochemical analysis for samples thatrequire preconcentration, especially for the analysis of trace compounds in wastewater and drinking water.</p> / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

Os imunoensaios e os ensaios bioquímicos são amplamente utilizados em clinica médica. Os dispositivos fabricados em papel devido ao seu baixo custo, portabilidade, todas as etapas serem realizadas em temperatura ambiente, e possibilidade da produção local dos dispositivos, tornam-se ideais para serem aplicados em regiões carentes. Assim, desenvolvemos um ensaio imunocromatográfico que permitiu a detecção de IgG de coelho em um dispositivo com uma única camada de papel impressa por cera, mostrando que esse protótipo tem potencial de ser aplicado em diferentes ensaios imunológicos. Pela primeira vez foi utilizado um teste enzimático colorimétrico (sarcosina oxidase, peroxidase e o indicador redox (ABTS) em plataforma de papel, impressa por cera, para detecção de sarcosina, o qual detectou um potencial marcador de tumor de câncer de próstata, a sarcosina, com limite de detecção (LD) = 0,21 mmol L-1 e limite de quantificação (LQ) = 0,61 mmol L-1, constatando que a intensidade da cor formada foi proporcional a concentração de sarcosina presente na amostra. Os imunoensaios em papel se mostraram extremamente versáteis, capazes de detectar diferentes analitos. O primeiro dispositivo foi capaz de detectar toxoplasmose (IgG contra T. gondii presente nas amostras). A avaliação da performance do teste nos forneceu um cut-off =21,73 U.A, sensibilidade = 0,96, especificidade = 0,87, AUC = 0,97, além de uma criação de uma zona cinza utilizando uma tolerância em porcentagem sobre a o cut-off de 15%. Desenvolvemos também uma macro no excel qye calcula a acurácia, m-Acuraccy, a qual nos forneceu um valor de 0,88 U.A. O segundo dispositivo permitiu a detecção do marcador tumoral CEA, através de um ensaio do tipo sanduíche, com um cut-off =68,28 U.A, sensibilidade = 0,86, especificidade = 1, AUC = 0,97. A tolerância em porcentagem sobre a o cut-off para a criação da zona cinza foi de 12%, e a m-Acuraccy calculou uma acurácia de 0,90 U.A. Pela primeira vez, foi aplicada essa completa avaliação estatística em testes em papel. Mais do que isso, trazemos com a m-Acuraccy uma nova forma de calcular a acurácia, com grande inovação na clínica médica. Portanto, torna-se evidente o grande potencial que os dispositivos fabricados em papel possuem para ser aplicados como ferramentas diagnósticas. / Immunoassays and bioassays are broadly used in clinical medicine. Paper-based devices are ideal to be used in remote regions due to their low-cost, portability and the possibility of in loco manufacture. Paper-based immunoassays are extremely versatile, capable of detecting distinct analytes: initially we have developed an immunochromatographic assay to detect rabbit IgG in a paper-based device fabricated using wax printing technology, and we have shown that this prototype has potential to be applied in distinct immunoassays. The second developed paper-based device was an enzymatic colorimetric assay for the detection of a potential prostate cancer biomarker - sarcosine (sarcosine oxidase, peroxidase and redox indicator (ABTS)), obtaining good figures or merit (LOD = 0.21 mmol L-1; LOQ = 0.61 mmol L-1, r² = 0.890). The third developed paper-based device was capable of detecting toxoplasmosis (IgG against Toxoplasma gondii in human serum samples). The performance evaluation showed a cut-off = 21.73 A.U., sensitivity = 0.96, specificity = 0.87, AUC = 0.97, besides defining the gray zone as the zone comprehended in-between 15% over the cut-off value. We also have developed a Microsoft Excel® macro to calculate diagnostic test\'s accuracy - m-Accuracy - that is a new way to calculate accuracy with great innovation for clinical medicine, which resulted in an accuracy of 0.88. for toxoplasmosis assay. The fourth developed paper-based device was used to detect CEA tumor biomarker using a sandwich ELISA assay, with a cut-off = 68.28 A.U., sensitivity = 0.86, specificity = 1.0, AUC = 0.97. The defined gray zone to this test was the zone comprehended in-between 12% over the cut-off value, with an accuracy of 0.90. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first complete statistical evaluation of paper-based diagnostic devices, which showed the great potential of this technology to be used as a new point-of care diagnostic tool.

Orientador: Lauro Tatsuo Kubota / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-17T19:48:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Passos_RafaelaFernandaCarvalhal_D.pdf: 3256536 bytes, checksum: 0fc4c2467e2c741531641a57e7a10925 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: Este trabalho apresenta o esforço dispendido na construção e caracterização de transdutores eletroquímicos sobre poliéster e papel, e também demonstra o emprego destas células eletroquímicas descartáveis no desenvolvimento de um biossensor para análises rápidas de salicilato em sangue, bem como a criação de um dispositivo de separação associado à detecção eletroquímica em papel. Cada célula eletroquímica é composta por um conjunto de três eletrodos de filmes finos construídos em ouro sobre poliéster ou papel cromatográfico por meio das técnicas de sputtering e electron-beam, respectivamente. Foi realizada a caracterização voltamétrica dos sistemas eletródicos empregando sondas redox como hexacianoferrato(II) de potássio, hexacianoferrato(III) de potássio e ácido ferrocenomonocarboxílico em meio eletrolítico, a fim de verificar a eletroatividade dos mesmos. Foi possível verificar que mesmo apresentando maior área eletroativa, os eletrodos de filmes finos construídos sobre papel apresentam uma menor densidade de corrente para as sondas redox em comparação com a célula eletroquímica construída em poliéster. Isto se deve à retenção das espécies eletroativas na fibra de celulose, fato que diminui a disponibilidade da espécie na superfície eletródica. Foi desenvolvido um biossensor amperométrico para a determinação de salicilato em sangue. O biossensor se baseia no emprego da enzima Salicilato hidroxilase imobilizada sobre a célula eletroquímica plástica. As condições experimentais otimizadas consistem em utilizar uma solução eletrolítica de tampão fosfato em pH 7,6 com 0,5 mmol L de NADH e 300 mV vs. Au como potencial aplicado durante as medidas. O biossensor apresentou adequada sensibilidade (97,4 nA/mmol L de salicilato) e faixa linear de resposta para o analito (1,25 10 to 1,0 10 mol L). O desempenho do biossensor foi verificado na determinação de salicilato em amostras de sangue dopadas com o analito e os resultados foram estatisticamente equivalentes àqueles obtidos com o método espectrofotométrico de Trinder em um nível de confiança de 95%. O dispositivo de separação cromatográfica em papel associado à detecção eletroquímica foi desenvolvido empregando a célula eletroquímica plástica e a célula eletroquímica sobre papel. O desempenho dos dispositivos foi avaliado na separação e quantificação de ácido úrico e áscórbico presentes em mistura. O método desenvolvido é uma alternativa para a determinação de compostos eletroativos em que o baixo custo e a simplicidade são essenciais / Abstract: This paper presents the efforts to the construction and characterization of electrochemical transducers on polyester and paper, and also demonstrates the use of these disposable electrochemical cells in the development of a biosensor for rapid analysis of salicylate in blood as well as the creation of a separation device associated electrochemical detection on paper. Each electrochemical cell consists of a set of three electrodes made of gold thin films on polyester or chromatographic paper using sputtering and electron-beam techniques, respectively. The electrochemical characterization of the systems with redox probes as potassium hexacyanoferrate(II), potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) and ferrocene monocarboxylic acid was performed in the electrolyte solution in order to evaluate the electroactivity of them. It was verified that even with higher electroactive area, the electrodes of thin films built on paper have a lower current density for the redox probes in comparison with the electrochemical cell constructed on polyester. This is due to retention of electroactive species in the cellulose fiber, a fact that reduces the availability of those species on the transducer surface. We developed an amperometric biosensor for the determination of salicylate in blood. The biosensor is based on the use of the salicylate hydroxylase enzyme immobilized on plastic electrochemical cell. The determined optimized experimental conditions are: an electrolyte solution of phosphate buffer at pH 7.6 with 0.5 mmol L of NADH and 300 mV vs. Au as the applied potential during the measurements. The biosensor showed adequate sensitivity (97.4 nA / mmol L salicylate) and linear response range for the analyte (1.25 10 to 1.0 10 mol L). The performance of the biosensor was found in the determination of salicylate in blood samples spiked with the analyte and the results were statistically equivalent to those obtained with the Trinder¿s spectrophotometric method, with a 95% confidence level. Prototypes of microfluidic paper-based separation devices with amperometric detection were developed and evaluated. The chromatographic separation on paper associated with electrochemical detection was developed using the plastic electrochemical cell and the gold electrochemical cell on paper. The performance of both devices was evaluated for separation and quantification of uric acid and ascorbic acid presented in the mixtures. The method is an alternative for the determination of electroactive compounds when low cost and simplicity are essential / Doutorado / Quimica Analitica / Doutor em Ciências

Os imunoensaios e os ensaios bioquímicos são amplamente utilizados em clinica médica. Os dispositivos fabricados em papel devido ao seu baixo custo, portabilidade, todas as etapas serem realizadas em temperatura ambiente, e possibilidade da produção local dos dispositivos, tornam-se ideais para serem aplicados em regiões carentes. Assim, desenvolvemos um ensaio imunocromatográfico que permitiu a detecção de IgG de coelho em um dispositivo com uma única camada de papel impressa por cera, mostrando que esse protótipo tem potencial de ser aplicado em diferentes ensaios imunológicos. Pela primeira vez foi utilizado um teste enzimático colorimétrico (sarcosina oxidase, peroxidase e o indicador redox (ABTS) em plataforma de papel, impressa por cera, para detecção de sarcosina, o qual detectou um potencial marcador de tumor de câncer de próstata, a sarcosina, com limite de detecção (LD) = 0,21 mmol L-1 e limite de quantificação (LQ) = 0,61 mmol L-1, constatando que a intensidade da cor formada foi proporcional a concentração de sarcosina presente na amostra. Os imunoensaios em papel se mostraram extremamente versáteis, capazes de detectar diferentes analitos. O primeiro dispositivo foi capaz de detectar toxoplasmose (IgG contra T. gondii presente nas amostras). A avaliação da performance do teste nos forneceu um cut-off =21,73 U.A, sensibilidade = 0,96, especificidade = 0,87, AUC = 0,97, além de uma criação de uma zona cinza utilizando uma tolerância em porcentagem sobre a o cut-off de 15%. Desenvolvemos também uma macro no excel qye calcula a acurácia, m-Acuraccy, a qual nos forneceu um valor de 0,88 U.A. O segundo dispositivo permitiu a detecção do marcador tumoral CEA, através de um ensaio do tipo sanduíche, com um cut-off =68,28 U.A, sensibilidade = 0,86, especificidade = 1, AUC = 0,97. A tolerância em porcentagem sobre a o cut-off para a criação da zona cinza foi de 12%, e a m-Acuraccy calculou uma acurácia de 0,90 U.A. Pela primeira vez, foi aplicada essa completa avaliação estatística em testes em papel. Mais do que isso, trazemos com a m-Acuraccy uma nova forma de calcular a acurácia, com grande inovação na clínica médica. Portanto, torna-se evidente o grande potencial que os dispositivos fabricados em papel possuem para ser aplicados como ferramentas diagnósticas. / Immunoassays and bioassays are broadly used in clinical medicine. Paper-based devices are ideal to be used in remote regions due to their low-cost, portability and the possibility of in loco manufacture. Paper-based immunoassays are extremely versatile, capable of detecting distinct analytes: initially we have developed an immunochromatographic assay to detect rabbit IgG in a paper-based device fabricated using wax printing technology, and we have shown that this prototype has potential to be applied in distinct immunoassays. The second developed paper-based device was an enzymatic colorimetric assay for the detection of a potential prostate cancer biomarker - sarcosine (sarcosine oxidase, peroxidase and redox indicator (ABTS)), obtaining good figures or merit (LOD = 0.21 mmol L-1; LOQ = 0.61 mmol L-1, r² = 0.890). The third developed paper-based device was capable of detecting toxoplasmosis (IgG against Toxoplasma gondii in human serum samples). The performance evaluation showed a cut-off = 21.73 A.U., sensitivity = 0.96, specificity = 0.87, AUC = 0.97, besides defining the gray zone as the zone comprehended in-between 15% over the cut-off value. We also have developed a Microsoft Excel® macro to calculate diagnostic test\'s accuracy - m-Accuracy - that is a new way to calculate accuracy with great innovation for clinical medicine, which resulted in an accuracy of 0.88. for toxoplasmosis assay. The fourth developed paper-based device was used to detect CEA tumor biomarker using a sandwich ELISA assay, with a cut-off = 68.28 A.U., sensitivity = 0.86, specificity = 1.0, AUC = 0.97. The defined gray zone to this test was the zone comprehended in-between 12% over the cut-off value, with an accuracy of 0.90. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first complete statistical evaluation of paper-based diagnostic devices, which showed the great potential of this technology to be used as a new point-of care diagnostic tool.