Diagnostic Membranes

For diagnostic devices where sensitivity and reproducibility are key, track-etched membranes can serve as a critical functional component. From point-of-care diagnostics to large-scale automated lab-testing systems, Oxyphen’s track etched membranes can be engineered with the lowest variation of pore size for greater precision and control, enabling the most efficient particle capturing, venting, and protection of your device.

Ensuring an accurate diagnosis is of the upmost importance for diagnostic device manufacturers and requires the use of membrane technology that is reliable and efficient. Oxyphen track-etched membranes show excellent results when filtering out certain analytes of saliva, blood, urine, or other targeted bodily fluids and can remove unwanted substances from a test stream. In addition, they can help to enable consistent capture and recovery of cells in closed microfluidic systems and facilitate particle retention in a testing device’s sample inlet. Backflushing also allows for reproducible sample recovery.

Oxyphen´s PET track-etched membranes are manufactured with a thin polyester film that has a high resistance to solvents. The controlled pore size and pore density make this membrane a perfect fit for blood assays or surface filtration that might contain chemical solvents.  PET membranes show a better resistance to solvents than PC (polycarbonate).​

PET membranes are naturally hydrophilic which makes additional pre-treatments or wettings in many cases unnecessary. The membrane itself is low protein binding which eliminates interferences with the assay itself. ​

For applications requiring hydrophobic membranes such as sensors in POC devices or microfluidic designs, Oxyphen also offers hydrophobic track-etched membrane vents that will not allow liquids to be drawn through and have water entry pressure ranges up to 3 bar. These membranes also provide high resistance towards pressure changes.