Often, sick individuals may not know what is afflicting them until they see a healthcare provider, have diagnostic tests done, and are counseled on the results. Not only does this process involve the time taken to make an appointment and travel to see a doctor, but also the time needed to have the appropriate tests performed and the wait for the results to be returned. The time passed from initially scheduling a doctor’s appointment to receiving final test results delays potential treatment.
A standalone pathogen identifier was developed that can be placed in public settings such as in stores or on street corners. Not unlike an ATM in physical size, the kiosk accepts biological samples from an individual for multiplexed analysis. The sample collection process is sufficiently simple so that anyone could begin the diagnostic process after making the appropriate payment via cash, credit, or debit cards. After the customer signs the appropriate disclaimers concerning diagnosis and liability, a sterile swab or collection tool or vial, viral transport media, instructions on collecting a sample, gloves, and antiseptic wipes would be dispensed to them. The customer then would select what pathogens they want to be screened for before the assay begins. The multiplexed assay can detect the presence of bacterial or viral pathogens including, but not limited to, influenza, streptococcus, and salmonella.
The instrument can run multiple samples simultaneously. Once the assays are complete, the customer will be e-mailed or contacted via phone within three hours to be given their results as well as a notice that all results are not official until confirmed by a medical diagnostic laboratory. The results will include a description of the identified pathogen, the typical symptoms associated with it, and the expected course of the disease. Finally, epidemiological data collected over the previous several months by regional machines regarding the percentage of other individuals infected by the same pathogen will be provided to the customer.
For more information, contact Yash Vaishnav in the Innovation and Partnerships Office at