Healthcare professionals will be able to use the rapid low cost test to aid the diagnosis of medical conditions, without having to measure each parameter individually
Oxford Biosensors, poised to launch its new point-of-care, low cost medical diagnostic system into the market, is one of the first eight UK companies participating in the Design Council's unique Humanising Technology initiative.
The project aims to help companies link their developing technology more closely to the needs of end users, and targets products and services predicted to enter mainstream markets between 2003 and 2010.
The Design Council has already helped Oxford Biosensors identify strategic areas requiring design expertise and will continue to provide design mentoring and support for a three-year period.
Biosensor technology represents an immense opportunity to revolutionise diagnostics in the healthcare environment yet to date, only single sensor formats have been available.
Oxford Biosensors's multi-sensor dry enzyme hand-held system is set to meet market demand for fast and accurate multi-parameter analysis.
Healthcare professionals in primary care or hospital clinics will be able to use the rapid low cost test to aid the diagnosis of medical conditions, without having to measure each parameter individually.
Only a small drop of blood from a finger prick is required and, with results obtained in seconds, waiting times for central laboratory results and repeat patient visits are eliminated.
No training is required to operate the timesaving and easy-to-use device, which offers many benefits to doctors and patients alike.
Simultaneous measurement of up to six parameters can be carried out on one tiny test strip which is then inserted into the analyser.
As small as a mobile phone, it incorporates micron-sized electrodes, similar in size to integrated circuits but using low cost carbon ink and plastic substrates.
The test strips are disposable, do not require refrigeration, and have automatic instrument calibration built in.
Initial focus is on two areas - cardiac risk (total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides), and chest pain for acute care situations.
Tests for renal care (creatinine, urea, potassium, sodium), neonatal care, liver function and statin management are in the pipeline.
Dockable for recharging and downloading of data, the instruments will be barcode capable to link and record automatically patient/tester identification and test results to medical records.
