Leartiker leads the LAMIPoC project that focuses on the large-scale production of microfluidic devices using ultrafast laser-assisted microfabrication technology

There has been a fast-growing interest in microdevices for use in biomedical applications in recent years. New technologies that are being developed tend to be smaller and smarter, coupled with faster and more cost-effective production.

The LAMIPoC (Laser Assisted MIcrofabrication of POC diagnostic microfluidic devices) project offers a cost-effectiveness study of ultrafast laser-assisted microfabrication with the goal of identifying a faster, cheaper alternative for large-scale producing microfluidic devices. This study will also evaluate lasers’ ability to create functional surfaces, with the aim of improving the wettability of polymeric parts that are typically required in diagnostic assays and microfluidic cell culture applications. All this will be possible thanks to the Aquitaine-Basque Country-Navarre Euroregion call for innovation projects.

Leartiker will spearhead this European initiative in collaboration with two other partners: Bordeaux-based French optics and lasers technology centre ALPhANOV, and OSF Plastic, a company from Navarre that specialises in plastic injection moulding and liquid silicone solutions.

With an eye on the future and in view of the growing evolution of biomedicine, in recent years the Leartiker technology centre has been committed to tissue engineering and developing microfluidic devices as part of its specialisation in health care, two lines of research that are experiencing a tremendous evolution. Leartiker, with its expertise in the large-scale production of microfluidic devices, will help define the production process and its validation by generating functional prototypes based on this technology. Scaling up the manufacturing process of these medical devices will provide a major boost to the industry’s competitiveness.

The first consortium meeting to introduce and launch the project was held on Thursday, 9 March. The meeting was held at Leartiker's facilities in Markina-Xemein (Bizkaia) and was attended by the other members of the consortium as well as Leyre Azcona, who represents the NAEN (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Euskadi, Navarre) Euroregion.