SUMMARY:
UCLA researchers have developed a low-cost method for non-invasive infectious disease testing that can monitor large public spaces for signs of viral outbreaks.
BACKGROUND:
The ability to test for infectious diseases through non-invasive approaches has become even more prevalent today due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To monitor large populations for viral outbreaks, rapid sample collection and testing are needed. The standard method to test for infectious diseases involves deep nasal swabbing in combination with real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (rt-PCR) for confirming positive test results. However, these types of invasive sample collection methods can lead to secondary infections, tissue damage, and reduce compliance in some populations. Therefore, there is a need for a diagnostic device that is non-invasive, rt-PCR compatible, and low-cost to fabricate.
INNOVATION:
UCLA researchers have developed a method that utilizes continuous dropwise condensation (CDC) for efficient extraction of viral loads from humified air. Through the use of exhaled breath condensate (EBC), the CDC can be extracted and analyzed using rt-PCR sampling at low-cost and up to 100x greater efficiency compared to other EBC methods. The device is capable of continuous monitoring of water vapor that can be in various environments such as hospitals, schools, and airports for infectious outbreaks. Furthermore, the easily-modifiable nature of CDC allows it to be deployed for both rapid diagnostic testing applications and for environmental sampling systems.
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS:
- Medical diagnostics
- Personalized medicine analysis
- Point-of-care
- Rapid diagnostic test
- Broad testing for infectious diseases
ADVANTAGES:
- Cost effective
- Non-invasive
- Rapid Testing
- Sterile
DEVELOPMENT TO DATE:
First successful demonstration of diagnostic device has been performed.