Sepsis arises when the body's response to an infection damages its own tissues and organs. In low-resource settings, it accounts for 60-80% of all deaths. Due to underspecified symptoms, subtle symptoms, and rapid deterioration of tissue, sepsis is often diagnosed too late, and therefore treated too late.

Detailed description of the solution

This portable, non-perishable device uses fluorescence to rapidly detect a key early biomarker for sepsis, procalcitonin (PCT). Its sensors will be cheap and it will be easy to use by health care workers and parents at home. Because sepsis mortality is related to the time of diagnosis, the device will be able to detect sepsis early enough to distinguish it from ordinary bacterial infections, thus allowing for treatment, accordingly.

Designed by

• Designed by: Lucerna, Inc, lead by Karen Wu
• Manufacturer (if different):
• Manufacturer location: New York, NY USA

When and where it was tested/implemented

Funding Source

Recipient of Grand Challenges Grant from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

References