# Affordable Diagnostic Devices This $2 Gadget Accurately Tests For the Zika Virus By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2016-07-06 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/diagnostic-device References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/new-zika-virus-test/44185/) & [news.upenn.edu](https://news.upenn.edu/news/penn-engineers-develop-2-portable-zika-test) A group of scientists and engineers working out of the [University of Pennsylvania](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drug-tracker) have developed an extraordinarily innovative and high-tech, fully electricity-free diagnostic device that is designed to make it easier than to carry out supremely accurate and rapid diagnosis of the Zika virus in a short amount of time. This diagnostic device makes use of a novel new test that seeks out [genetic material from the Zika virus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/automated-pcr-testing-system) to confirm its presence. This represents a significant improvement over previous methods that depended on antibody detection, as that particular method can lead to false results. The gadget uses a special heated up to allow for temperature control without the need for electricity. Its biggest advantage is that it costs only $2 to produce, making it possible to leverage its high-tech gifts to save lives. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.3/10 - Popularity: 17% | Activity: 15% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Electricity-free Diagnostics:** Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Create affordable and accurate diagnostic devices that do not require electricity, allowing for easier and more accessible testing in low-resource areas. - **Genetic Material Testing:** Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Develop diagnostic devices that can detect and confirm the presence of diseases or viruses by testing genetic material, providing more accurate results compared to antibody detection. - **Low-cost Medical Devices:** Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Design low-cost diagnostic devices that can be produced at a low price, making them widely accessible and enabling effective healthcare solutions in resource-constrained environments. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Healthcare Technology:** Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Combine technology and healthcare to develop cutting-edge diagnostic devices that improve accuracy, accessibility, and affordability. - **Biotechnology:** Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Explore advancements in biotechnology to develop diagnostic devices that utilize genetic material testing for a wide range of diseases and viruses. - **Medical Manufacturing:** Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Innovate in the field of medical device manufacturing to create low-cost, electricity-free diagnostic devices that can be mass-produced and distributed efficiently. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [At-Home Diagnostic Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/genhome.md) - [Intuitive At-Home Medical Tests](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dengue-home-test-kit.md) - [Automated Molecular Diagnostic Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/genhome-array.md) - [Streamlined Diabetes Testing Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/diabetes-testing-kit.md) - [Molecular Diagnostic Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/covidflu-test.md) - [Cutting-Edge Diagnostic Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cuttingedge-diagnostic-tool.md) - [Mobile Healthcare Exam Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/handheld-medical-device.md) - [Virus-Detecting Breathalyzers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virusdetecting-breathalyzer.md) - [Smartphone Blood Pressure Readers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bpclip.md)