BHOPAL: Researchers at Department of Instrumentation and Applied Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore have developed a new blood testing device for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) cases. Prof Dr Nisanth Nambison from Bhopal is one of the important members of the research team.
This device gives test results in less than five minutes, that too in 1/10th of the time and cost of presently used test for diagnosis. This AI-based revolutionary indigenously developed portable palmtop rechargeable device uses mere 1/4th of a drop of blood and can be deployed in the remotest village for testing at the PoC (Point of care) thus bringing down the cost of transportation and curtailing the turnaround time in reaching diagnosis which proves to be lifesaving.
Madhya Pradesh has the highest numbers of sickle cell anaemia. Researcher Prof. Dr Nisanth Nambison of Government Homoeopathic Medical College, faced lots of hardships in the diagnosis of Sickle Cell Anaemia in the deep tribal villages. He faced challenge not only in the turnaround time taken for the diagnosis, but also the amount of blood drawn from the already anaemic patient was difficult and painful.
This is when he met Prof Dr Sai Gorthi at IISc Bangalore, through their mutual collaboration of the researchers worldís first AI Based portable device was invented for instant diagnosis of sickle cell anaemia.
This HPOS (High-Performance Optical Sensing) device has been developed by team of researchers Rajesh Srinivasan, Eugene Christo VR, Prateek Katare, Aravind Venu kumar under the mentorship of Prof Dr Sai Siva Gorthi Department of Instrumentation and Applied Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore & Prof Dr Nisanth KM Nambison, Govt Homeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Bhopal.
The new technology used in the device makes it portable, mere 1/4th drop (5 µml) of blood is required for diagnosis of Sickle Cell Anaemia, the test can be performed at patientís doorstep. It is 10 times cheaper than the currently used HPLC machines (Rs 10 lakh). Priced at around Rs 60,000 to 70,000, the health worker does not need any special skill to operate this device. This invention is a wonderful example of Make-in-India & Self-reliant India.
