Rapid Vision-Based Blood Test System Gives Accurate Results

The system combines cameras, proprietary software, and easy to use Digital Video Disc (DVD)-styled test cartridges, uses only a small drop of blood and compared to similar devices in the market, it is cost-efficient, fast, accurate, reliable, and uniquely capable of multiparameter testing.

In the Spinit testing process, the technician places a small blood sample onto the test panel cartridge and all the blood sample preparation is done automatically. The sample flows through a series of microfluidic structures, where different operations are made including separation of blood components and mixing with other solutions. After preparation, the sample is directed to a number of detection zones on the cartridge.

Each detection zone includes a biological recognition layer (BRL) developed using antibody fragments attached on a gold surface. By using different antibody fragments and immobilization strategies, the gold layer will act as a selective trap for a specific blood biomarker. When the patient's blood passes through the BRL, the targeted biomarker binds to the antibody fragments. It is the concentration of trapped biomarkers that the device is testing.

The Spinit System (Point Grey; Richmond, BC, Canada) uses Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), a well-established spectrometry technique, to optimally measure the concentration of biomarkers. This is done by measuring the refractive index of light reflecting off the gold's surface after exposure to the patient's blood sample, so that the higher the concentration would result in the lower index. There is an optical module that when the cartridge is spinning, a camera is triggered when the phototransistor behind the semi-opaque mirror detects a reflection coming from the detection zone. The camera is used to acquire 3,000 images of each detection zone over a 10-minute period.

The Spinit will be released later in 2012 and the first cartridge will measure C - reactive protein (CRP). CRP is an acute phase protein actively circulating in the body during an inflammatory response. CRP is a standard test parameter, important in treating bacterial infections, significantly decreasing the chances of inadequately prescribing antibiotics and more effectively treating other infections and inflammatory conditions. Future tests to be added include total blood count, a diabetes panel, and a cardiac panel.

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