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Review
. 2016 May-Jun;34(3):161-76.
doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2016.01.005. Epub 2016 Feb 1.

Point-of-care diagnostics for niche applications

Brian M Cummins  1 , Frances S Ligler  1 , Glenn M Walker  2
Affiliations
Review

Point-of-care diagnostics for niche applications

Brian M Cummins et al. Biotechnol Adv. 2016 May-Jun.

Abstract

Point-of-care or point-of-use diagnostics are analytical devices that provide clinically relevant information without the need for a core clinical laboratory. In this review we define point-of-care diagnostics as portable versions of assays performed in a traditional clinical chemistry laboratory. This review discusses five areas relevant to human and animal health where increased attention could produce significant impact: veterinary medicine, space travel, sports medicine, emergency medicine, and operating room efficiency. For each of these areas, clinical need, available commercial products, and ongoing research into new devices are highlighted.

Keywords: Diagnostics; Emergency care; Operating room; Point-of-care; Space travel; Sports medicine; Veterinary.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Diagram that highlights the differences in workflow between using traditional laboratory testing and point-of-care testing. From (Larsson et al., 2014).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Most portable diagnostic tests can be categorized as a wearable test (top-left), a cartridge-based test that does not need a reader (bottom-left), a cartridge-based test that needs a handheld reader (top-right), or a cartridge-based test that needs a tabletop reader (bottom-right). These subcategories range from being the most portable to the least portable. In the top-left, an absorbent pad wicks sweat to pH sensitive ionogels which change color in response different pH levels. From (Curto, Fay, 2012). In the top-right, examples are shown of the Coaguchek XS System (www.coaguchek.com, 2016), the HemoCue Hb 201+ System (www.hemocue.us, 2016), and the i-STAT portable blood chemistry analyzer (www.abbottpointofcare.com, 2015). The lower-left shows a SNAP test by IDEXX (top) and an Abaxis lateral flow assay for the detection of heartworm disease (bottom). From (O'Connor, Lawrence, 2013) and (www.abaxis.com, 2015e), respectively. The lower-right image shows the Alere Triage system (www.alere.com, 2015).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. www.abaxis.com. VetScan VS2. [Accessed 2015 September 27];2015a Available from: http://www.abaxis.com/veterinary/products/vs2.html.
    1. www.abaxis.com. VetScan i-STAT 1 Handheld Anaylzer. [Accessed 2015 September 27];2015b Available from: http://www.abaxis.com/veterinary/products/istat.html.
    1. www.abaxis.com. Abaxis Products. [Accessed 2015 September 27];2015c Available from: http://www.abaxis.com/veterinary/products/
    1. www.abaxis.com. VetScan Avian Influenza Rapid Test. [Accessed 2015 September 27];2015d Available from: http://www.abaxis.com/veterinary/products/avian-influenza-rapid-test.html.
    1. www.abaxis.com. Abaxis Rapid Tests. [Accessed 2015 September 28];2015e Available from: http://www.abaxis.com/veterinary/products/rapid-tests.html.

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