Team 23
Portable Inverted Microscope for Point-of-Care Digital Immunoassays of Cardiac Troponin
Team Members:
Portable Inverted Microscope for Point-of-Care Digital Immunoassays of Cardiac Troponin
Team Members:
Emma Petersen
Sonja Brett
Sean Tucker
Natalie Stevens
Tor Christian Tjorhom
Team Mentors:
Dr. Shaopeng Wang, PhD - Arizona State University, SBHSE
Dr. William Tyler, PhD - Arizona State University, SBHSE
Mr. Kelvin Ning, MS - Nectero Medical, Inc.
YouTube Link:
View the video link below before joining the zoom meeting
Zoom Link:
https://asu.zoom.us/j/86788474965
Abstract
Bioptics Diagnostics team is developing a portable inverted microscope for point-of-care digital immunoassays of cardiac troponin. Troponin is one of the most effective biomarkers for detecting myocardial infarction (MI). In the United States, heart disease is the leading cause of death, so a prompt and accurate assessment of the patient's condition can result in timely diagnosis and treatment. The concentration of troponin in human blood varies greatly between individuals, from a few ng/L in healthy people to >104 ng/L in patients with cardiovascular disease. Because the baseline value of troponin concentration varies so widely, the change in troponin concentration over time is often used for clinical assessment rather than absolute concentration. Currently, hospitals take three or more blood samples over the course of 8-12 hours, transport the samples to a laboratory, centrifuge the samples to retrieve plasma, and finally trained personnel process the samples using sophisticated, bulky, and expensive equipment. To shorten the time to reach diagnosis, a simple, fast, and sensitive diagnostic technique for point-of-care settings is needed for rapid quantification of troponin level changes at the bedside. The product concept for such is a portable inverted microscope for point-of-care digital immunoassays of cardiac troponin. Bioptics Diagnostics has developed the BOD microscope - using only 1 μL of plasma, the sample can be marked with 40-80 nm gold nanoparticles and imaged under a digital microscope. This is a self standing microscope that fits on a bench top, and the position of the stage, camera focus, and calculation of troponin concentration are automated. The manufacturing cost is approximately $530, and the intended users are any hospital staff in the emergency room or cardiology department - trained personnel are not required to operate the device. The team developed a functional prototype that can detect 80 nm nanoparticles, has autofocus capabilities, and automated image processing for protein counting. This prototype can be further developed with higher grade materials and improved imaging resolution, making for a simple and easy to use digital immunoassay that provides point-of-care, high sensitivity, and rapid detection of biomarkers.
