Point-of-care testing (POCT) devices let users perform diagnostic tests or support functions at the place where care is being provided – at home, in the hospital, or at a clinic.An example of a POCT device would be a portable electrocardiogram device that helps physicians check patients at their bedsides and make quick clinical decisions. Thesedevices areused to receive faster results on a variety of medical tests. Some key benefits they offerinclude:
• Convenience
• Speed
• Portability
• Quality
• Assurance
• Connectivity
New Handheld POCT Device by Nanomix
As per a study by WHO (World Health Organization), sepsis is the leading cause of death in United States. Nanomix Inc. is working to make the detection of sepsis much quicker. The company is developing a new handheld, mobile device for POCT – eLab, which can deliver results of a sepsis test in no more than 10 minutes.The new system includes a cartridge-based assay with a carbon nanostructure biosensor and a handheld reader. This device can analyzelactate, C-Reactive protein (CRP), and PCT to determine if a person has sepsis.
Current sepsis diagnostic tests generally take a few hours, or even days, and may also require the use of additionalinstruments. However, this novel handheld device is said to be the first ever rapid diagnostics intended to assess people suffering from sepsis and onethat provides results in just up to 10 minutes.
The POCT devices market in United States is expected to witness rapid growth over the forecast period (from 2017 to 2022). Increasing occurrence of various infectious diseases and rising preference for home healthcare are expected to fuel the overall growth of this market.
ACON Laboratories, Inc.; F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG; Abaxis, Inc.; Abbott Laboratories; Siemens Healthineers; and Alere, Inc. are some of the key players operating in the market. These players are actively involved in the development of sophisticated POCT systems in terms of functionality, technology, and design.
