OUR PURPOSE
The Premise
Current automated bioassays cost upwards of $5,000. This restricts poorly funded health care facilities (PFHCF) to obtain such devices. Due to this limitation, PFHCF is resorting to performing a visual inspection of bodily fluids. This is not a preferred choice of testing because it reduces the number of tests that can be processed, requires a well-qualified person to observe said test, and introduces human error. Our device will allow for the automation of tests while producing low-cost units accessible for PFHCF.
World care project will construct an automated bioassay that is able to detect malaria and other diseases such as HIV, and COVID-19 from a given sample. In order to create a successful automated bioassay, it has to transfer a calculated amount of sample and reagent volumes from syringes to a test well. Then, the process is followed by a mixture and washing process. Using additive manufacturing (3D printing) and purchasing "off the shelf" items, the team will be able to manufacture our current design under $300.
Current Alternatives
Current laboratory-grade ELISA analyzing systems depend on multiple separate devices to prepare, incubate, wash, and analyze the samples. Each device ranges on the order of thousands of dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. Trained lab technicians are needed to properly dispense reagents into samples to prepare them, then move the samples between devices for incubation, washing, and analyzing, each with their own incubation times, ranging from minutes to hours. These devices, however, are equipped to perform multiple different functions, such as measurement verification, programmable testing protocols, adjustable observation wavelengths, an improved user interface, and customer support, justifying their higher price point (“ELISA”, ”Microplate”).
While the current laboratory grade equipment provides useful tools for professional analysis and cutting-edge research, our design focuses only on simple sample diagnostics, reducing the need for trained technicians, multiple devices, and high precision analysis to produce a device capable of performing a simple ELISA test at a price point well below its competitors. Our target product will combine every step in the testing process into a single, small device, require no trained operator, and will work with the press of only a few buttons.
PROJECT DESIGN TIMELINE
(Winter 2021)
PREVIOUS DESIGN ITERATIONS
Previous designs and prototype iterations shown below.
DESIGN JUSTIFICATION
In our initial search to design our device we thought a vertical placement of the device would be better. We thought this because we imagined the waste would be easier to collect. However as we continued to work the vertical design posed more issues. We decided to lead with a laid out horizontal design. Additional design features we calculated were the structural material of choice. We weighted out a wooden design against a 3D printed design. We supposed 3D printers are hard to come by, meanwhile wood is reasonably available. After ranking each design keeping reproducibility, design strength, quality and over all feasibility to produce, the team decided to create a 3D printable design.
EXPECTED RESULTS
As we work to improve the electrical and mechanical aspects of the project. We would work on improving the response time of the servos, sensors, and printing of the design.
