(Finance) – I ENEA researchers of the Biomedical Technologies laboratory have developed and patented a new portable device to calibrate and standardize the different machines for molecular swabs and also make them capable of identifying the variants of the Covidsending the data in real time to a control center.
“Identifying the viral variants during diagnosis was one of the first problems that had to be faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, as was the real-time control of the number of infected people in the area”, explains the ENEA researcher. Vincenzo Cesi, inventor of the patent, who adds: “The POCT (Point Of Care Test) machines and kits authorized by the Ministry of Health are heterogeneous both in terms of functioning and sensitivity, as well as between them. Hence the need to devise an innovative device that solves both problems, also allowing swabs to be carried out on site where outbreaks occur “.
The device it also allows for the training and control of levels competence and manual skills of the operator, the monitoring the state of wear and calibration of the machine for molecular swabs and the verification, improvement and standardization of viral detection protocols. “Using the path formative that the device allows it is possible to do specific training to operators sanitary and laboratory technicians who have never before found themselves having to perform molecular swabs in a short time, making it possible to set up mobile workstations immediately operational even in the absence of already specifically trained personnel ”, continues Cesi.
Finally, the device allows theinstant adjustment of all the machines in the network with protocols and settings for the analysis of other viral or bacterial strains, allowing to have a buffer system ready in the future in the event of a different epidemic or pandemic. “We will also be able to reconvert all POCT machines for the analysis of pathogens in agriculture, animal husbandry and for the control of native species, to protect the IGT, DOP, DOC and DOCG brands once out of the emergency, giving a new aim to the economic and technological effort faced ”, concludes Cesi.