Filtration & fluid control 50% 47%
In vitro diagnostics was the largest segment type by industry last year, accounting for
roughly half the share of the microfluidic devices market.
Europe and Asia- Pacific collectively made up nearly half the market share for microfluidics in 2024.
Research and Markets
tests (performed at the bedside or in clinics rather than central labs) can reduce pressure on healthcare systems and improve access to early testing, increasing the chances of better patient outcomes. But the trend towards more portable medical devices creates design challenges, especially given such tools often use tiny amounts of fluid and need to deliver lab-grade accuracy without highly trained technicians or tightly controlled environments. That’s where microfluidics comes in. These systems, which manipulate minuscule volumes of liquid through hair-thin channels, are being increasingly employed in a new wave of diagnostic tools and therapeutic platforms. The global microfluidics market is projected to more than double, from $22.78bn in 2024 to $54.61bn by 2032 according to Research and Markets’ ‘Microfluidic Devices Market – Global Forecast (2025–2032)’, as demand grows for compact, integrated medical technologies. Industry leaders are actively expanding in this space.
In July 2024, Illumina acquired Fluent BioSciences to enhance its ability for single-cell analysis. And in January 2024, Standard BioTools completed its merger with SomaLogic, creating a provider of differentiated multiomics tools for research. Such moves reflect a broader strategy of OEMs focusing on the development of advanced microfluidic devices by optimising speed and sensitivity while minimising size and cost.
Pressure points
At the centre of the microfluidics boom is a critical component: the micropump. Such mechanisms allow the accurate motion of fluids through a medical device’s reservoirs. “Globally, the market for microfluidic pumps is gaining significant importance due to growing R&D investment in life sciences, pharmaceuticals and increasing point of care testing demand,” notes forecasting firm Research and Markets. Micropumps could enable precise fluid control in diverse medical applications, from cancer diagnostics to wearable therapeutics. Understanding the capabilities of microfluidic pumps is fundamental if OEMs are to develop smaller, more accurate diagnostic tools, particularly for use in resource-poor settings, says Associate Professor Xiaoyun Ding, a medical engineer at the University of Colorado Boulder in the US. His research group explores cutting-edge micro and nano systems for cell-based biomedical applications, including fluid manipulation. “Point-of-care means you take care of each patient individually with personalised standards
78
instead of general standards,” explains Ding. “In such situations, precision and reliability become increasingly important.”
And with volumes so small in microfluidic devices, even slight errors can dramatically alter results. A 5% deviation in a 10mm sample might be acceptable for certain applications, but the same margin in a 10mL sample could mean the difference between detecting a disease and missing it entirely, says Ding. Traditional pumping systems, designed for bulk fluid handling, often can’t deliver the precision required for point-of-care devices. Microfluidic pumps address this fundamental challenge. “The biggest advantage is handling small -volume samples,” notes Ding. “Current popular pumps used in medical settings typically handle large volumes of samples, which are not very good for point-of-care applications.” Beyond accuracy, microfluidic pumps open new possibilities for accessibility. They enable medical testing in environments where traditional laboratory infrastructure is unavailable, from rural clinics to patient homes. Devices that incorporate microfluidic pumps might require operation with just a finger-prick blood sample, eliminating the need for skilled phlebotomists. And because the pumps can be integrated with sensors, analysers and digital readouts on a single chip, the result is a compact, all-in-one system that supports rapid, low-hassle testing.
Types and trade-offs
Ding explains that microfluidic pumping methods can generally be classified into two subsets: active and passive pumping. Each comes with strengths and limitations, depending on the intended application. Active pumping requires an external power source to induce continuous flow by generating pressure or relying on an electric, magnetic or acoustic field. Active pumping allows for precise, programmable control but generally results in larger, more complex devices. Within the active category, there are several types of pumps OEMs can choose from, each tailored to different clinical needs. Pneumatic pumps offer smooth, controllable flow and are widely used in diagnostic cartridges to automate complex assays. Electro-osmotic pumps move fluid using electric fields, and without moving parts, which makes them advantageous for ultra-precise lab-on-a-chip applications. Piezoelectric pumps, often found in wearable and implantable systems, use tiny actuators to deliver medication accurately. Passive pumps, by contrast, rely on natural forces like gravity or capillary action. These systems are inexpensive, simple to use and ideal for disposable tests such as the
www.medicaldevice-developments.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130
