Researchers need backers to mass produce smartphone-based Covid-19 test
The proposed molecular test and smartphone app would let people who are self-isolating test themselves, and allow health care workers test both patients and themselves for Covid-19. The battery-operated and hand-held smartphone-linked device is highly cost effective (£100/device) and easy to use. Developed in collaboration with Surrey’s Centre for Vision Speech and Signal Processing (CVSSP) and Lancaster, it works by taking nasal or throat swabs, which are put into the device.
Then in 30 minutes, it can determine if someone has Covid-19. The samples don’t need to go to a laboratory and the same device can test six people at once at a cost of around £4 per person.
The science behind the test has been used and evaluated in the Philippines to check chickens for viral and bacterial infections. The UK-based team is adapting the Philippines method to detect Covid-19 in humans and is calling on backers to help them mass-produce the kits. The team is also working on adding a telemedicine functionality to the mobile app that can control the device, track the users’ movements and contact anyone who has had a close interaction with the person diagnosed to suggest steps to take in order to reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection and spread.
“The team firmly believe that both identifying Covid-19 infection and minimizing the spread of infection are important. Once infection is identified using this device, the app will automatically update the database and the intelligent system will track down all individuals who have been in close contact with the newly identified patient, alert them about the threat of having Covid-19 and make recommendations regard further steps”, explained Dr Anil Fernando, Reader in Video Communications at CVSSP.
With a fast response from manufacturers, we could deliver a point-of-care test kit to support mass-scale testing within the NHS and globally”, said Professor Roberto La Ragione, Deputy Head of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Surrey.
“Now that we know multiple genomes of Covid-19, we can develop the molecular test in a week and have it up and running on the device in three or four weeks. We are confident it will perform well and we urgently need industrial partners to come on board. This innovation is set to have a huge impact on society” commented Professor Wamadeva Balachandran from Brunel University London.
“Normally, anything like this would have to undergo extensive clinical trials, but this is not a normal situation. Speed is essential. With local hospitals’ help we aim to do a limited amount of testing using positive and negative samples that are currently available. According to the Imperial College model, this pandemic might last for 18 months and cases will rise over the next few months. The new test would be a tremendous help in easing the pressure on the healthcare sector.”
Manufacturers willing to help the production ramp up of such kits can contact wamadeva.balachandran@brunel.ac.uk
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