Newborn infants in the United States are routinely screened for the
presence of several metabolic and genetic diseases (such as PKU and hyperthyroidism).
These tests are performed by collecting a small blood sample onto a filter paper
disk before the infant is released from the hospital. It is important that the results be
evaluated in a timely fashion to prevent early loss of cognitive function that can occur
with untreated disease.
A persistent problem
in accomplishing this screening is the number of filter paper disks that are collected but
do not contain adequate samples for analysis. This can result in important delays in
diagnosis and increased expense in tracking down patients that may have already left the
hospital.
Western Research is
developing a standalone imaging system that will allow for an immediate evaluation of the
collected blood spots. Inadequate samples can be re-collected immediately, thus
obviating the expense and potential morbidity that might otherwise occur.
The Western Research system is being designed
to be:
- Simple to operate
- Inexpensive
- Provide an automatic analysis of blood samples
- Provide a nondestructive analysis
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