A Finnish company, Deep Sensing Algorithms has developed a rapid COVID-19 breath test device.
What is the device called and what type of device is it? ?
DSA BreathPass™ is a handheld breath analysing device intended for the detection of COVID-19.
What is its intended use?
It is intended for the diagnosis of COVID-19 by healthcare professionals and for rapid screenings for large crowds.
The DSA BreathPassTM is a fast, easy and affordable testing method for detecting COVID-19 infection that can be done anywhere with a reliable connection to the internet.
How long does it take for the device to diagnose COVID-19?
According to the company website, the average sample taking time is 15 seconds and the diagnosis is available in 3 seconds. The system is ready for a new person every 2 minutes.
How does the device work?
The DSA BreathPassTM uses a non-invasive method for detection of COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The device measures the exhaled breath for 15 to 30 seconds. It characterises the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) within breath samples and produces predictions for different health conditions based on Deep Computing algorithms. It generates results in a few seconds. The device can be used through the Mobile Application and Web-UI.
- The unit contains a set of carefully selected and configured nanosensors that record Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and other substances connected to the biomarkers to be identified in exhaled breath gas.
- The biomarker VOC’s are born in human metabolism and their known relation, the VOC profile, with a given disease forms the basis for the analysis.
- DSA BreathPass™ communicates with an Artificial Intelligence based cloud algorithm to calculate how well the measured breathprint of the individual’s VOC profile matches with the known COVID-19 features. The results are available immediately.
Is the device approved ?
No it isn’t.
We should get the whole thing done in February and after that the device has a medical certificate and can begin commercial rollout.
Pekka Rissanen from Deep Sensing Algorithms
Is there any information available on the accuracy of the product?
Not specifics yet, but the device is expected to have high sensitivity and specificity.
Are there any other potential uses for the product?
Yes, there are other potential uses.
According to the company website, DSA BreathPass™ and future development versions will be available for the early detection of diseases such as lung and colon cancers and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Sources:
Deep Sensing algorithms Website