DiagMetrics is developing a unique, mask-based, point-of-care test for Covid-19 that delivers results within minutes. Our system can be retrofit into existing masks, is low cost, easy to use and sends test results via bluetooth to your smart phone. Our system utilizes a patent-pending Exhaled Breath Condensate (EBC) collector that converts breath vapor into a fluid biosample. Our EBC collector provides a significant amount of undiluted biosample that maximizes the concentration of target biomarkers.
At the heart of our system is a proprietary nano-scale biosensor functionalized by our partners, Dr. Rabah Boukherroub and Dr. Sabine Szunerits from the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and University of Lille in France. This biosensor has demonstrated the ability to detect the SARS Covid-19 S-Protein in micro-scale concentration levels. Our device protocol can be found here: Device Protocol
Our biosensor can be customized to test for other biomarkers like lung cancer and tuberculosis. While our near term focus is on the Covid-19 biosensor, we will pursue proof of concept for other biomarkers and communicate our progress soon.
In our Lateral Flow Assay version, the EBC biosample is passed through a series of micro-fluidic stages, much like a conventional home pregnancy test. If the target biomarker is present, a change in color or other detectable physical property is noted as an indication that the test subject may be Covid-19 positive. The target biomarker can be a virus particle, fragment or protein, an enzyme, antigen, cytokine, or other molecule indicative of Covid-19 infection.
Our co-founders, John Daniels, Ken DeCubellis, and Shekhar Wadekar, bring over 75 years of combined experience in high growth, entrepreneurial settings including medical, intellectual property, software, technology, alternative energy, energy efficiency and traditional energy.
Our mask-based Covid-19 testing system has been selected as a semifinalist for the XPrize!