Advances in smart phones and biosensors have enabled the development of “labs-on-a-chip” that can be brought to the patient, instead of the patient being brought to the lab. This technology is creating a paradigm shift in healthcare delivery that will make it much easier for patients to undergo clinical testing and get the treatment they need, and could be especially beneficial for patients in resource limited or remote settings who don’t have access to a hospital.
New mobile diagnostic and lab-on-a-chip technology found at AACC’s meeting includes:
- A Smartphone-based HRDR-200 Rapid Diagnostic Reader by Holomic. This handheld, mobile tool can serve as a portable “smart phone lab” for the diagnosis of thyroid disorders, infectious diseases, and other common health conditions.
- A biochip platform by OJ-Bio, which uses surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology and a hand-held reader connected to a smart phone to test for multiple biomarkers (biological molecules whose presence indicates a condition or disease) simultaneously. These biochips are currently being developed to diagnose HIV, respiratory disease, and periodontal disease.
- A portable, one-step molecular diagnostic system by Coyote Bioscience, which is designed to bring complex genetic testing directly to the patient.
“This year has seen the emergence of amazing new diagnostic products that promise to change not only clinical testing but the entire model on which the modern healthcare system is based,” says AACC CEO Janet B. Kreizman. “The new technology being featured at the 2014 AACC Annual Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo is the future of laboratory medicine and exemplifies how important diagnostic tests are to enhancing patient health around the globe.” Read more about new technology being featured at AACC.
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