Urinalysis and Microscopy

About

Summary Stanford researchers have prototyped a portable device that controls many aspects of dipstick assays that are currently plagued by user error. The device utilizes commercial dipsticks to perform the assay. User error is reduced due to tightly controlled volume, timing and lighting conditions of dipstick assays. This device will easily integrate with a portable image reader such as a cell phone or other standalone chip, making at-home routine urinalysis attainable. The results obtained with this device for urinalysis are as accurate and consistent as the dip-and-wipe method, the industry gold standard.   Applications Urinalysis diagnostic tool for point-of-care, including at home. Can analyze diseases that currently uses dipstick testing (e.g. urinary tract infection, various kidney diseases and diabetes) Can potentially use other dipstick assays (e.g., blood) instead of urine   Advantages Device performs urinalysis High quality control over urinalysis assay conditions (volume, timing, and lighting control and color differentiation) More reliable results due to higher quality control Simple to use, even by untrained users Portable/hand-held device Easy integration with current dipsticks thus can be commercialized in the near term Can integrate with cell phones for low cost imaging Overcomes many of the limitations of current dipstick technologies