A new collaboration between Phillips-Medisize and healthcare startup SOTECH Health is looking to accelerate the development of a breath-sensor system that detects COVID-19 in less than 30 seconds.
The partnership will bring together SOTECH Health’s reusable breath-test device, that leverages innovative sensor research from The University of Texas at Dallas, with a cloud-based artificial intelligence (AI) platform and Phillips-Medisize’s human-centered product design, rapid prototyping, and end-to-end manufacturing expertise.
Six-Second Breath Sample Yields Results in Less than 30 Seconds
To screen for COVID-19, a person blows into the handheld device’s disposable mouthpiece for six seconds. A highly sensitive, electrochemical sensor looks for traces of certain chemicals in the sample, which indicate exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus strain that causes COVID-19. Results are available in less than 30 seconds. Tests can be self-administered and monitored onsite or from a distance through WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity, alleviating the need for healthcare professionals to conduct the tests. To date, SOTECH Health has completed 31,000 breath tests.
“Our innovative breath analyzer will change the game in COVID-19 detection by quickly and accurately screening people in densely populated settings, such as airports, businesses, cruise lines, schools and stadiums,” said Craig Micklich, founder and CEO of SOTECH Health.
“Through our collaboration with Phillips-Medisize, we have engineered a solution capable of screening for COVID-19 infection status as fast as it takes someone to walk through a metal detector at an airport or sports stadium. Phillips-Medisize is perfectly positioned to support SOTECH Health’s global go-to-market strategies while empowering our efforts to screen for other critical respiratory diseases and conditions in the future, including the flu and pneumonia.”
At the heart of each device is electrochemical sensor technology developed by Dr. Shalini Prasad, a professor of bioengineering at UT Dallas. Additional location, temperature, humidity and communication sensors gather relevant data, along with test results, which are sent to a cloud-based artificial intelligence (AI) model. A suite of machine learning and predictive analytics tools based on sensor and AI IP owned by SOTECH Health assess results, determine the probability of future infection, and provide geographic “heat maps” created from aggregated data within a geographic region.
Phillips-Medisize is readying its global production facilities to keep pace with anticipated demand for SOTECH Health’s breath analyzer. Phillips-Medisize recently announced an expanded manufacturing footprint, which now spans 36 world-class facilities, including production sites, innovation centers and cleanrooms in North America, Europe, Asia, India and Mexico.
Bringing Breath Testing to the World
Seamless teamwork between SOTECH Health and Phillips-Medisize has facilitated a fast-track product design and development process. Phillips-Medisize’s team of electronics, product and manufacturing engineers worked alongside SOTECH Health’s engineers to ensure intuitive, convenient product operation. Each new product prototype has been executed with a focus on continuous improvement and quality, resulting in a validated product design ready for a swift production ramp.
“We believe in SOTECH Health’s transformative mission to enable fast and accurate health checks, which are crucial to regaining normalcy in everyday lives,” said Paul Chaffin, president, Medical and Pharmaceutical Solutions, Molex. “Our long history of working with companies at every stage of their product lifecycle has proven critical in helping SOTECH Health optimize and finalize functional product prototypes while preparing for a rapid manufacturing ramp upon regulatory approval.”