Ultra-Portable POC Molecular Diagnostics System to Instantly Detect Infectious Diseases
By HospiMedica International staff writers Posted on 02 Feb 2024 |

Infectious diseases pose a significant threat to human health and have a substantial economic impact globally. Timely and accurate identification of pathogens is key for prompt treatment, improved patient outcomes, and halting the spread of diseases. Traditional pathogen detection methods are usually conducted in well-equipped clinical labs, relying on advanced equipment and specialized staff. Furthermore, pre-analytical steps such as lengthy transportation can skew results and extend turnaround times (TAT), hindering effective control of infectious diseases, especially in areas with limited resources. Now, a rapid RT-PCR platform being developed to provide highly accurate, rapid, and affordable diagnoses of infectious diseases at point-of-care and near-patient settings could enable immediate treatment initiation and curtail potential disease transmission.
Novel Microdevices (Baltimore, MD, US) is advancing its affordable, portable, rapid, multiplex, and user-friendly PCR testing solution for infectious diseases. This innovative technology simplifies complex scientific processes, typically carried out in high-complexity labs, into a compact device. Point-of-care diagnostics offered by the Novel Dx device allow for immediate results, enabling prompt action instead of the extended waiting times associated with traditional laboratory tests. The Novel Dx device employs Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques (NAAT), which is the same method used in clinical reference laboratories, to detect the genetic material of pathogens.
The Novel Dx molecular testing platform utilizes polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology in a disposable cartridge. The patient's sample is added to this cartridge, which is then inserted into the Novel Dx system. The system analyzes genetic sequences to identify diseases and detect genetic mutations that may make bacteria resistant to antibiotics. Novel Dx is capable of providing lab-quality results in less than 15 minutes, allowing patients to be tested, diagnosed, and treated all within a single visit, thus eliminating the wait for results from more complex labs. Designed for portability and weighing just four pounds, the Novel Dx diagnostic tool is battery-operated, making it especially suitable for use in low-resource settings and low-and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Latest Point of Care News
Channels
Critical Care
view channel
Novel Intrabronchial Method Delivers Cell Therapies in Critically Ill Patients on External Lung Support
Until now, administering cell therapies to patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)—a life-support system typically used for severe lung failure—has been nearly impossible.... Read more
Generative AI Technology Detects Heart Disease Earlier Than Conventional Methods
Detecting heart dysfunction early using cost-effective and widely accessible tools like electrocardiograms (ECGs) and efficiently directing the right patients for more expensive imaging tests remains a... Read more
Wearable Technology Predicts Cardiovascular Risk by Continuously Monitoring Heart Rate Recovery
The heart's response to physical activity is a vital early indicator of changes in health, particularly in cardiovascular function and mortality. Extensive research has demonstrated a connection between... Read more
Wearable Health Monitoring Device Measures Gases Emitted from and Absorbed by Skin
The skin plays a vital role in protecting our body from external elements. A key component of this protective function is the skin barrier, which consists of tightly woven proteins and fats that help retain... Read moreSurgical Techniques
view channel
Intravascular Imaging for Guiding Stent Implantation Ensures Safer Stenting Procedures
Patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease, which is caused by plaque accumulation within the arteries leading to chest pain, shortness of breath, and potential heart attacks, frequently undergo percutaneous... Read more
World's First AI Surgical Guidance Platform Allows Surgeons to Measure Success in Real-Time
Surgeons have always faced challenges in measuring their progress toward surgical goals during procedures. Traditionally, obtaining measurements required stepping out of the sterile environment to perform... Read morePatient Care
view channel
Portable Biosensor Platform to Reduce Hospital-Acquired Infections
Approximately 4 million patients in the European Union acquire healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) or nosocomial infections each year, with around 37,000 deaths directly resulting from these infections,... Read more
First-Of-Its-Kind Portable Germicidal Light Technology Disinfects High-Touch Clinical Surfaces in Seconds
Reducing healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) remains a pressing issue within global healthcare systems. In the United States alone, 1.7 million patients contract HAIs annually, leading to approximately... Read more
Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization
An innovative solution has the capability to transform surgical capacity utilization by targeting the root cause of surgical block time inefficiencies. Fujitsu Limited’s (Tokyo, Japan) Surgical Capacity... Read more
Game-Changing Innovation in Surgical Instrument Sterilization Significantly Improves OR Throughput
A groundbreaking innovation enables hospitals to significantly improve instrument processing time and throughput in operating rooms (ORs) and sterile processing departments. Turbett Surgical, Inc.... Read moreHealth IT
view channel
Printable Molecule-Selective Nanoparticles Enable Mass Production of Wearable Biosensors
The future of medicine is likely to focus on the personalization of healthcare—understanding exactly what an individual requires and delivering the appropriate combination of nutrients, metabolites, and... Read more
Smartwatches Could Detect Congestive Heart Failure
Diagnosing congestive heart failure (CHF) typically requires expensive and time-consuming imaging techniques like echocardiography, also known as cardiac ultrasound. Previously, detecting CHF by analyzing... Read moreBusiness
view channel
Expanded Collaboration to Transform OR Technology Through AI and Automation
The expansion of an existing collaboration between three leading companies aims to develop artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions for smart operating rooms with sophisticated monitoring and automation.... Read more