Global Spatiotemporal Disease Surveillance System

Rapid screening of chemical/biological threats and infectious diseases is a challenging task especially in remote locations due to the lack of appropriate laboratory infrastructure and advanced instrumentation. In such resource-scarce settings, wireless, robust, accurate, and easy-to-use diagnostics tools are required to enable real-time monitoring of various medical conditions, point-of-care applications and global disease surveillance. In this Phase II proposal, we aim to continue with the advanced development of a cell-phone based rapid diagnostic test reader platform and further enhance its hardware and software capabilities. In Phase I, feasibility of this cell-phone based spatiotemporal disease surveillance platform has been demonstrated, delivering a number of prototypes with encouraging system performance. Wirelessly integrated into remote database and servers, this platform enables digital quantitative evaluation of rapid diagnostic tests (lateral flow immuno-chromatographic assays) using a snap-on hardware attachment and software application on cell-phone devices. Phase II will provide opportunity for industrial level optimization, further performance improvements and fabrication of the platform toward advanced development and commercialization. As a result of fast progress during Phase I Holomic already commercialized a Pilot Reader in order to test the market and develop business relationship. Phase II will result in a @Clinic Reader for professional point-of-care applications and a @Home Reader for consumers and patient self monitoring. These readers are market-leading with performance, features, ease of use, and affordability.