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Problem
Problem
People with HIV in low-resource areas cannot afford or have limited access to viral load testing, which prevents doctors from effectively monitoring and treating their patients and inhibits patients from receiving medical care for HIV.
People with HIV in low-resource areas cannot afford or have limited access to viral load testing, which prevents doctors from effectively monitoring and treating their patients and inhibits patients from receiving medical care for HIV.
- 80% of all HIV patients in the world live in low-resource areas
- Current viral load tests cost $85 and only available in developed countries
- This prevents patients from routinely monitoring their HIV
- Doctors are unable to medicate and treat patient effectively
Solution Overview
Solution Overview
1. Serial dilution chip
1. Serial dilution chip
Filters HIV RNA from patient's blood
2. PCR Thermocycler
2. PCR Thermocycler
Amplifies purified HIV RNA
3. Fluorescent Imager
3. Fluorescent Imager
Quantifies levels of HIV in patient
Solution Description
Solution Description
Combining all the components into one device, we are able to:
Combining all the components into one device, we are able to:
- Make viral load test more affordable and accessible in more low-resource areas
- Reduce the amount of time and resources used for each viral load test
- Promote more HIV patients to regularly monitor their viral levels
- Enable doctors to prescribe more optimal treatment
- Suppress the spread of HIV in low-resource areas
Our Project Goals
Our Project Goals
1. Design a fluorescent microscope that is able to detect and image nano-scale objects.
1. Design a fluorescent microscope that is able to detect and image nano-scale objects.
2. Total cost of components and software should be under $350, so each viral load test.
2. Total cost of components and software should be under $350, so each viral load test.
3. Accurately quantify amount of HIV in a given volume of blood within 5,000 copies of HIV RNA.
3. Accurately quantify amount of HIV in a given volume of blood within 5,000 copies of HIV RNA.
4. Run quantification within 20 minutes so patients are able to get an accurate report within one doctor's visit.
4. Run quantification within 20 minutes so patients are able to get an accurate report within one doctor's visit.
5. Use components that is able to withstand heat generated from the PCR system
5. Use components that is able to withstand heat generated from the PCR system
Group 7- Low-Cost Fluorescent ImagerDepartment of BioengineeringUniversity of California, San DiegoBENG 187 - Bioengineering Design Project
Page Editor: Beatrice Tierra
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