Unmet Need
Current testing methods for COVID-19 can provide results in as little as 24 hours and as long as 10 days, depending on the testing method and the location. Self-quarantining of infected individuals is vital when they are spreading the virus, and these tests are necessary to monitor the spread of the disease, in order to emphasize community safety and guide patient treatments. Therefore, there is a need for accurate point of care testing for the COVID-19 disease.
Technology Overview
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new, unique test for COVID-19, which can analyze the particles from a person’s cough and deliver a test result almost instantly. The test takes the aerosolized particles from coughs and passes them through a diffusion dryer which produces airborne virus particles that are carried through the device on an air stream, charged, and exposed to an electrode which expresses ACE2, the receptor COVID-19 binds and uses to infect cells. The accumulation of the virus on the electrode is then used to diagnose the patient.
Stage of Development
Currently, the concept of the sensing device has been confirmed, and work is continuing towards optimizing the process.
