A recent development in low-resource and distant medical will have a major impact on how the field is viewed. The Radially Compartmentalised Paper Chip (RCP-Chip ), a paper-based diagnostic tool that can detect diseases in less than 10 minutes, has been created by a team of scientists at New York University Abu Dhabi ( NYUAD ). This development is a game-changer for quick, cheap, and convenient disease screen without the need for sophisticated laboratory equipment or qualified personnel.
addressing the urgent need for fast testing across the world
The COVID-19 crisis was first brought to light when the world was struggling with a lack of effective screening techniques, especially in regions with limited resources. Mohammad A. Qasaimeh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering at NYUAD, stated,” Our goal was to create something quick, inexpensive, and easy to use. The research that led to the creation of the RCP-Chip is led by Qasaimeh as the older author. The new application makes it possible to identify communicable diseases quickly and easily. Qasaimeh continued, citing the device’s value and efficiency, noting that “it just uses a small number of reagents and requires just a small sample to run.” This paper-based medical chip has a wide range of applications, from rural to industrial, and it has the power to significantly increase healthcare access.
A useful diagnostic instrument
The RCP-Chip’s features extend far beyond the novel coronavirus, despite the fact that it was originally intended to detect COVID-19. The system can be easily reconfigured, according to Qasaimeh, to identify conditions like chickenpox, dengue, malaria, and others. It can be adapted to evaluate a wide range of disorders or even examine hormones and molecules with slight modifications, Qasaimeh said. The RCP-Chip is positioned as a multi-purpose diagnostic tool that could be applied to a variety of health applications, from detecting public infectious diseases to tracking chronic illnesses. Pavithra Sukumar, a Research Assistant at NYUAD and the study’s co-first writer, said,” What makes it really powerful is its real-world potential.” Sukumar praised the product’s ability to significantly speed up pandemic responses, facilitating quicker isolation, treatment, and control. The swift testing provided by the RCP-Chip can aid in halting disease spread before they become excessive in circumstances where time is of the essence, such as in illness or pandemic scenarios.
Simple, affordable, and compact
Accessibility is one of the RCP-Chip’s distinguishable qualities. The device is been operated with little equipment, in contrast to standard medical devices, which require advanced lab setups. According to Qasaimeh, “it requires a cooking stage at around 60 degrees Celsius, which is simple to achieve with common household items like a hot dish or an oven.” The design’s simplicity makes it simple to move around and use, allowing care workers in remote areas with limited infrastructure to do so. In addition, the RCP-Chip uses mouth examples rather than traditional samples, making it even more convenient and comfortable for the people. You can use it in virtually any area in a short amount of time, Qasaimeh said. This feature, which aimed to shorten the time and expense commonly associated with conventional medical procedures, was a key driving force behind the creation of the tool.
From strategy to industrialization
The RCP-Chip’s growth faced some difficulties. The group experienced difficulties during the initial stages of research because of pandemic-related laboratory access restrictions. We focused on thinking about the device and coming up with ideas in the beginning, said Qasaimeh. The team was able to perform in-depth assessment of the system before restrictions were lifted. He explained that” after initial restrictions, we gradually were given access to labs,” and that is when we started conducting further research and testing the device. Despite these difficulties, the team was able to file a trademark for the invention and launch a business to make it profitable. Biotechnology companies have already expressed an interest in the technology. To allow us to continue with the device’s growth stage, Qasaimeh continued,” We aim to get buyers.” The main goals are now bringing the system to market and expanding its possible computational, making sure that it can be adapted for a variety of uses in the healthcare industry. The RCP-Chip is poised to enjoy a crucial role in global care as a result of the growing need for cheap and potent medical equipment. Its lower price, speed, and versatility make it a good choice for settings with limited resources, giving users a much-needed substitute for the latest testing techniques.
