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วิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีและนวัตกรรมวัสดุ
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คณะวิทยาศาสตร์
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney stones are major public health concerns in Thailand, particularly among elderly individuals and patients with diabetes mellitus or hypertension. Early detection of kidney impairment is essential for delaying disease progression and reducing the risk of end-stage renal disease. The albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), together with urinary uric acid measurement, provides valuable clinical information for the early screening and diagnosis of kidney disorders. However, current analytical methods are unable to simultaneously determine all three biomarkers in a single assay and generally require sophisticated laboratory instruments, making them unsuitable for point-of-care testing (POCT) or home-based screening. This research project aims to develop a dual-layer microfluidic paper-based analytical device (µPAD) capable of simultaneously determining urinary albumin, creatinine, and uric acid in a single test. The upper layer will function as a filtration unit, enabling direct analysis of urine samples without dilution or other sample pretreatment, while the lower layer will contain specific colorimetric sensing zones for the selective detection of each analyte. This design is expected to simplify the analytical procedure, minimize matrix interference, and improve user convenience. In addition, a smartphone application, **KidneyScan+**, will be developed for both Android and iOS platforms. The application will employ artificial intelligence (AI)-based image analysis to capture the colorimetric responses from the µPAD, quantify the concentrations of the target analytes, calculate the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), and provide an immediate assessment of kidney disease risk. The project encompasses the design and fabrication of the µPAD, optimization of analytical conditions, evaluation of analytical performance, validation using real urine samples, and verification of the accuracy and reliability of both the sensing platform and the smartphone application. A portable packaging system containing the testing device, accessories, and user instructions will also be developed to facilitate practical implementation. The expected outcome is an integrated POCT platform consisting of a portable paper-based test and a smartphone application that enables rapid, accurate, and user-friendly screening of chronic kidney disease and kidney stones. The developed technology is anticipated to promote self-screening, support remote healthcare (telehealth), improve access to early diagnosis, and ultimately reduce the burden of kidney diseases on the healthcare system.
คณะวิทยาศาสตร์
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