IIT Kharagpur Researchers Develop Novel Technology for COVID-19 Rapid Test

The entire rapid test can be conducted in an ultra-lowcost portable device with the test results available in a customized smartphone application for dissemination within 1 hour and requiring manual interpretation. All of this at a cost of ₹ 400/- per test.

In a unique effort, researchers at IIT Kharagpur have innovated a novel portable rapid diagnostic device to detect COVID-19 infection. This first-of-its-kind device will bring the testing for COVID-19 out from the walls of expensive laboratories and RTPCR machines and enable testing at affordable costs for the under-served community across the world. This entire test can be conducted in an ultra-low-cost portable enclosure as an alternative to specialized laboratory equipment. The same portable unit can be used for a large number of tests, on mere replacement of the paper cartridge after each test. The device has been proven to produce no false result with remarkable accuracy and sensitivity compatible to standard RT-PCR tests.

This test has an unprecedented low cost of less than Rs. 400/- per test, taking all components of expenses and business model into account. A video in English about the Novel Technology of IIT Kharagpur's first-of-its-kind portable rapid diagnostic device for COVID-19 can be found by clicking on this link - https:// fromsmash.com/IIT-KGP-COVIDTesting-Novel-Technology.

Considering the impending outbreak of COVID-19 infection at progressively more geographical locations with the anticipated increment in number of affected personnel at a dramatic rate, there is an emergent need to run large numbers of reliable diagnostic tests at affordable cost and minimal infrastructural support, for monitoring the early stages of progression of the disease when many of the infected persons do not exhibit discernible symptoms of infection.