Abstract
Sickle Cell disease is a genetic disorder that afflicts more than 100,000 people in the United States, with hospitalization costs exceeding $1.1 billion annually. Early diagnosis and close monitoring of sickle cell activity are essential for the successful treatment of the conditions. However, standard diagnosis of the disease requires expensive laboratory equipment, reagents, and adequately trained laboratory personnel. New point-of-care diagnostics are needed to improve the treatment outcomes of this devastating condition.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have developed a novel finger-prick diagnosis and monitoring platform enabling quick, accurate, and inexpensive diagnosis of sickle cell disease and functional measurement of sickle cell blood. The technology can evaluate small sample volumes acquired via a finger prick. A prototype of the device has been developed and has analyzed blood samples from multiple sickle cell patients. Preliminary data showed the technology accurately diagnoses the condition with similar accuracy to FDA-approved products.
FAU seeks partners to advance this technology into the marketplace through licensing or development partnerships.
Benefit
Rapid and Accurate - Fast results, small volumes and similar accuracy to competing productsPortable - Small footprint and analysis performed on a smartphoneInexpensive - Comprised of mass produced componentsMarket Application
Diagnosis of sickle cell diseasePublications
Electrical Impedance Characterization of Erythrocyte Response to Cyclic Hypoxia in Sickle Cell Disease
