Validation of a Low-cost, Rapid, Point-of-Care Diagnostic for Tuberculosis Based on Chemiresistive Sensor Arrays

William Royea of Next Dimensions Technology, Inc., in the U.S. seeks to develop a point-of-care breath analyzer. The proposed system aims to use an array of chemical films that are sensitive to changes in electrical conduction as a result of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by tuberculosis (TB). In this project's Phase I research, Royea and his team demonstrated proof-of-concept for detecting breath-based biomarkers of TB in a clinical setting. In Phase II, the team will further develop and test a prototype device that provides higher sensitivity and specificity to not only identify active TB disease in ill patients, but also potentially to distinguish between various drug-resistant strains of the mycobacterium.