Sally Centrifuge (Salad Spinner Centrifuge)
This Global Health Medical Device is designed for or implemented within resource-limited settings - Browse the devices - Add a device
 | |
| Health Topic | Maternal mortality |
|---|---|
| Classification | Diagnosis |
| Scope | Clinical trial |
| Location | Africa, Asia, South America |
|
[edit] Problem being addressed
Anemia is a major cause of maternal mortality and it remains a prominent issue in developing countries. Methods to accurately diagnose this condition are inadequate in these regions. The Sally Centrifuge, with its mechanically-powered, cost-efficient and portable design, hopes to bring accurate diagnostic technology to low-resource areas.
[edit] Detailed description of the solution
The Sally Centrifuge is composed of hair combs, a salad spinner and a round plastic container. It spins small capillary tubes filled with blood for ten minutes with manual pumping. A rudimentary gauge is then used to assess hematocrit values (or the ratio of red blood cells to the total volume) to determine whether a person is anemic. The centrifuge can spin up to 30 samples in ten minutes at a rate of 950 rpm.
[edit] Describe its relevance to resource-constrained settings
The Sally Centrifuge is optimal for use in resource-constrained settings because it does not require electricity. It is inexpensive, lightweight, portable, robust and fairly easy to operate. Moreover, studies have shown that it is considerably accurate and effective.
[edit] Designed by
- Designed by: Lauren Theis and Lila Kerr, two undergraduate students of Rice University's 360: Institute for Global Health Technologies
[edit] References
[edit] Peer-reviewed publication
Brown, J., Theis, L., Kerr, L., Zakhidova, N., O'Connor, K., Uthman, M. Z., Oden, M., Richards-Kortum, R. (2011). A Hand-Powered, Portable, Low-Cost Centrifuge for Diagnosing Anemia in Low-Resource Settings. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 85 (2) 327-332.
[edit] Internally generated reports
Hand-Powered Centrifuge. Rice 360: Institute for Global Health Technologies. Link available here.
[edit] Externally generated reports
Salad Spinner centrifuge for anemia. (2011). Maternova: Tools and Ideas that Save Mothers and Infants. Link available here.
