Researchers at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville have developed a portable device that can be used onsite to detect infectious diseases, pathogens as well as physiological conditions in people.
The device is equipped with a microchip, where healthcare providers place a droplet of blood. The microchip is treated with disease-specific antigens and captures disease-specific antibodies in the blood. If the antigens and antibodies match, then the device tells the healthcare provider that the patient is infected in a matter of minutes. So far the device has been used to detect tuberculosis in humans and wild animals as well as Johne's disease in cattle.
The scientists expect the device to be expanded to detect various diseases and physiological conditions. The device could also be valuable for applications in disaster relief, biodefense or disease outbreaks.
The device is equipped with a microchip, where healthcare providers place a droplet of blood. The microchip is treated with disease-specific antigens and captures disease-specific antibodies in the blood. If the antigens and antibodies match, then the device tells the healthcare provider that the patient is infected in a matter of minutes. So far the device has been used to detect tuberculosis in humans and wild animals as well as Johne's disease in cattle.
The scientists expect the device to be expanded to detect various diseases and physiological conditions. The device could also be valuable for applications in disaster relief, biodefense or disease outbreaks.
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