Picture of the miniaturized heaters with various lithium mould shapes. (Photo: PNAS)
“Combined with smartphone technology, everyone would have a portable system that can track, monitor and diagnose infections. This is critical for preventing the spread of diseases.”
U of T Engineering researchers have developed a ‘heater’ — about the size of a pill tablet — that regulates the temperature of biological samples through the different stages of diagnostic testing. This technology could enable resource-limited regions around the world to test for infectious diseases without the need for specialized training or costly lab equipment.
“The precision and flexibility of our heater opens the door to a future of do-it-yourself diagnostic kits,” says Pranav Kadhiresan, who developed the device alongside Buddhisha Udugama (both PhD candidates in IBBME and the Donnelly Centre) under the supervision of Professor Warren Chan (IBBME, Donnelly Centre).
“We could combine the simplicity of a high school chemistry set with the precision of cutting-edge lab instruments,” adds Kadhiresan. The technology behind the team’s miniaturized heater invention is describe in a paper published in the journal of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
In a typical diagnostic test for infectious pathogens, multiple temperature-regulation steps are involved. The ability to control temperature is crucial to the accuracy of the test results, and is especially important in areas where access to large research facilities are limited.
“The lack of electricity adds a layer of complexity,” says Udugama. “Our miniature heater addresses that. It can be used in various settings to detect viruses without the need for electricity. If we were to summarize the benefits of our technology, it would be accessibility, portability and precision.”
The outside of the heater tablet is composed of a non-reactive acrylic mould that encapsulates lithium, a reactive element that is commonly found in battery cells. When dissolved in water, the reactive lithium interacts with the solution to release heat and hydrogen gas. This results in an increase of temperature for an extended period of time.
The researchers observed that the reproducibility of the temperature profile is controlled by constant gas release, which is dictated by the shape of the lithium mould. After testing multiple shapes of the lithium mould – from circles to triangles – they found the star shape, measuring just 8 millimetres in diameter, to be the most ideal for precise heating.
Consolidating multiple steps into a single tablet also means specialized training is not required to operate any diagnostic testing, reducing the chance of human error and making the device accessible to the public.
“Tablets are conventionally used for medications such as aspirins. But we have now developed a series of tablets and pills that can diagnose diseases,” says Chan, principal investigator on this research and director of IBBME.
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Infectious diseases testing
- Oral Microbiome Test Could Detect Gastric Cancer Earlier
An oral rinse shows distinct differences in the microbiomes of people with pre-gastric or gastric cancer compared with controls, suggesting the possibility of a new tool for early detection.
- Michigan horse tests positive for strangles
On May 2, an 18-year-old Quarter Horse gelding in Newaygo County, Michigan, was confirmed positive for strangles, after another horse on the same premises tested positive earlier in the year. The ...
- Federal dollars to increase bird flu testing for dairy cows, farm workers
The federal government announces financial incentives to encourage broader testing of cattle and expanded security measures to control a growing bird flu outbreak.
- Surprising study suggests urbanization might reduce global infectious disease risk
A comprehensive meta-analysis reveals that biodiversity loss, climate change, and chemical pollution significantly increase global infectious disease risk, while urbanization may decrease it.
- Here’s How Long the CDC Says to Isolate if You Test Positive for COVID in 2024
And while the virus continues to pop up (like the latest FLiRT COVID variants), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has changed its COVID-19 protocol recommendations for 2024, ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Infectious diseases testing
[google_news title=”” keyword=”infectious diseases testing” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Diagnosing diseases
- Remote diagnosis and subsidised bills: How the UK can fix its dementia care crisis
As Europe is waiting for the authorisation by the European Medicines Agency of new “game-changing” anti-amyloid treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, Sweden is also one of a few countries, along with ...
- Chronic auto-immune disease often diagnosed late as symptoms it presents are non-specific: Experts
Lupus comes under domain of rheumatology because it is an auto-immune disease, it affects almost all organs — brain, nerves, eyes, skin, heart, lungs ...
- Questions About Periodontal Disease? Doctors Have The Answer.
If the pockets are deeper than 4 or 5 millimeters, it may indicate periodontal disease.This article explores the diagnosis of periodontal disease, a common oral health condition. Expert opinions from ...
- Navigating the uncharted waters of rare autoimmune diseases: A compassionate guide for loved ones | Opinion
It’s undeniable that the journey of navigating a rare autoimmune disease is fraught with challenges, but it is also can be marked by resilience, compassion, and the unwavering support of loved ones.
- ‘Mathematical microscope’ could diagnose Alzheimer’s disease early
Researchers uncover a mechanism behind 'working memory' – the brain's short-term storage – and its potential decline in Alzheimer's.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Diagnosing diseases
[google_news title=”” keyword=”diagnosing diseases” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]