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Point-of-Care Medical Tests Devices and their Value as Educational Projects for Engineering StudentsAbstractPoint of Care Medical Diagnostics devices are portable microfluidics-based systems that test forinfectious diseases in clinical specimens such as blood. They provide fast, easily-interpreted test resultsin a low-cost format and do not require highly skilled operators. This technology is expected to play aprominent role in future healthcare, especially in resource-limited regions of the developing world.We believe point of care diagnostics devices are excellent topics for student projects. The projectsinvolve microfluidics, cell phone applications, image processing, optics, CAD/CAM and rapid prototyping,microcontrollers, sensors, C programming, instrumentation and process control, product development;and give engineering students exposure to important medical and biotechnology applications. Forexample, students have designed, constructed, and validated portable devices to test for viruses inblood samples, using a device that integrates a cellphone as a detector, controller, and communicationsport. This work provides ample opportunities for students to integrate their foundational knowledgeand skills in an increasingly important enabling technology for sustainable healthcare.
Details
Medical electronics;
Students;
Product development;
Rapid prototyping;
Microfluidics;
Health care;
Engineering education;
Cell phones;
CAD/CAM;
Medical tests;
Portable equipment;
Image processing;
Control equipment;
Point of care testing;
Biotechnology;
Health services;
Engineering;
Operators;
Education;
Viruses;
Mobile phones;
Medical screening;
Work skills;
Tests;
Technology;
Medical students
