A new screening device which can deliver COVID-19 test results in 20 seconds has launched.听
The CEO of听Heathrow听Airport has called for听the听Virolens听system, which has undergone a successful听three-week听trial at the leading air transport hub, to be fast-tracked around the UK.听
The speed of tests conducted using the screening device, combined with its portability, could听provide a major boost to transport hubs, offices and sporting and cultural events venues reopening after lockdown.听
Virolens听has been developed by British start–up听iAbra, with design and manufacturing expertise from TT Electronics and technology powered by Intel.听
Based on microscopic holographic imaging and artificial intelligence, the screening device听uses a digital camera attached to a microscope to analyse saliva samples, with the data run through a computer which is trained to identify the virus from other cells, delivering听an end result听in just 20 seconds.听听
The听Virolens听system has a 99.8% sensitivity and 96.7% specificity, based on the results of an internal in-vitro validation study, designed by the University of Bristol.听
Current gold–standard WHO PCR COVID tests are conducted in offsite laboratories by biologists using traditional 鈥榳et testing鈥� techniques, involving intrusive swabs and can take several hours to produce a result.听听
鈥淭esting for COVID-19 is the lifeline that the UK economy needs to get back on its feet,鈥� said John Holland Kaye, CEO at听Heathrow听Airport.听
鈥淐urrently the bottleneck is the availability of the government鈥檚 preferred PCR testing labs 鈥� Rapid Point of Care tests solve that problem.听听
鈥淚 have experienced听颈础产谤补鈥檚听test myself, alongside the PCR test 鈥� it is quicker and cheaper, and potentially more accurate.听听
鈥淲e urge the government to fast-track this technology to protect the economy and help save millions of jobs in this country.鈥�听
The听Virolens听system听is able to听count individual active virus cells in any sample.听
Initial trial orders have now been secured with launch customers around the world, including London听Heathrow听and Leidos in the United States.听听
Virolens听is about to embark on clinical trials which would be necessary for it to be certified for medical use.听
Greg Compton, CEO of听iAbra, said:听鈥淭his is a significant step forward in the battle against COVID-19, much of which has revolved around our inability to keep society moving with the constant background threat of infection.听听
鈥�Our system allows simple, high speed, reliable and low-cost testing in dynamic environments. In short, with the听Virolens听system, we can get the world moving again.鈥�听
CoronavirusCOVID-19