👉This patch can be applied on the skin like a bandage and then obtain a result in just 20 minutes. This technology is low-cost and requires no expertise to utilize.
▪️Malaria is a significant killer in many parts of the world where access to medical services is limited or non-existent. ▪️Obtaining a laboratory-based malaria diagnosis is challenging or impossible for many people living in such regions.
▪️Low-cost, point-of-care diagnostic alternatives are needed in such conditions, and this latest technology may fulfill the criteria.
👩⚕️How it works?
Containing a 4 x 4 array of hollow microneedles, the patch gently penetrates the skin when applied and draws interstitial fluid inside itself, where an antibody-based lateral-flow test strip detects protein biomarkers of malaria.
The device provides an easy to read visual results in about 20 minutes in the form of colored strips, similar to a pregnancy test.
At only 375 microns wide, the microneedles are truly tiny and do not cause significant pain on insertion. They are hydrophilic and can easily draw interstitial fluid into the device.
It doesn’t feel painful than a finger prick or a blood draw and less painful than getting a splinter.
Interestingly, this bandage may also be useful in detecting other diseases, including COVID-19.
However, this study is focused on malaria detection, but this technology can be adapted to detect other diseases for which biomarkers appear in interstitial fluid.
⚕️The researchers estimate that the device is affordable. Its appearance as a bandage makes the patch more relatable to the general public and less daunting for non-clinical users, and less scary for the patients getting screened.⚕️
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