The Deki reader is a handheld device that enables the performing of rapid diagnostic testing for the Ebola virus, HIV and malaria. Developed by the Toronto-based Fio Corporation with the help of a handsome grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the gadget can be used with minimal training and provides quick-turnaround tests as well as reliable data collection and transmission.
The handheld contraption works in conjunction with conventional rapid diagnostics test assays -- a tiny blood sample is placed on the test strip and inserted into the Deki reader for analysis. Within a matter of minutes, test results flash on the screen while medical data is uploaded to a cloud database, where it is accessible to public health authorities and researchers. The process of uploading, organizing and conveying medical data is managed through the Fio Corporation's "Fionet" mobile software, which connects mobile diagnostic devices with web-based tools.
With its ability to speed up diagnostics testing without compromising on test accuracy -- whilst also improving the quality of medical data -- the Deki reader is revolutionizing the way public health authorities in underdeveloped countries respond to major epidemics, which require quick and decisive action.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Rapid Diagnostic Testing
- The Deki reader is an example of a handheld device that enables rapid diagnostic testing for various diseases, presenting an opportunity for further innovations in this field.
- Quick-turnaround Tests
- The use of the Deki reader highlights the demand for quick-turnaround tests in healthcare, suggesting potential for disruptive innovations that can provide fast and reliable results.
- Cloud Database for Medical Data
- The integration of a cloud database in the Deki reader allows for easy access to medical data, suggesting opportunities for disruptive innovations in data management and analysis for the healthcare industry.
Where This Applies
- Healthcare
- The Deki reader and its rapid diagnostic testing capabilities have the potential to revolutionize the healthcare industry, enhancing disease detection and response.
- Biotechnology
- The development of advanced handheld devices like the Deki reader demonstrates the disruptive innovation potential in the biotechnology industry, particularly in the area of diagnostic tools.
- Information Technology
- The integration of cloud database and web-based tools in the Deki reader presents opportunities for disruptive innovations within the information technology industry, specifically in data management and connectivity for healthcare devices.
