Last Updated: 18/06/2024
A proof-of-concept field study for point-of-care malaria diagnostics using a mini microscope in rural Tanzania
Objectives
This project aims to evaluate a diagnostic platform for image-based detection and quantification of malaria parasites in routinely prepared blood smears.
Mobile technology is a key enabler in order to tackle a range of medical problems in resource poor settings. The advances in mobile phone camera technologies and the spread of mobile wireless networks facilitate medical applications for transfer, viewing, and processing of digital microscopy samples. The researchers have developed a prototype for a low-cost miniaturized microscope that has the ability to capture highly magnified images of patient samples sent over wireless mobile networks. Proprietary central webmicroscope server allows the diagnostic process to be performed remotely, by a human observers or using automated computer vision analysis. Captured digital images of the specimens are transferred to the central server to calculate the malaria parasitemia and to return the results to the technician in the field. To evaluate the feasibility of the method; a proof-of-concept field study will be carried out in the Bagamoyo District, Tanzania with Muhimbili University. The study will include a comparison with conventional microscopy with regard to diagnostic accuracy, an evaluation of United Statesbility and assessment of time to achieve diagnosis. The method will aid in the combat of infectious diseases at the point-of-care level of health care and has the potential to improve access to diagnostics, enable task-shifting and shorten the time to diagnosis.
Jan 2014 — Dec 2015
$326,724
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