Sodium Potassium Detection : Electro Finder
Primary Information
Domain
Healthcare
Project No.
4560
Sanction and Project Initiation
Sanction No: F.No:3-18/2015-TS-TS-1
Sanction Date: 29/11/2016
Project Initiation date: 17/03/2017
Project Duration: 24
Partner Ministry/Agency/Industry
Indian Council of Medical Research
Role of partner: The initiative taken by ICMR in supporting medical research activities for promoting health and well being of population is highly appreciable.
Support from partner: 25% of the fund has been released so far from ICMR.
Principal Investigator
Professor Rohit Srivastava
Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
Host Institute
Co-PIs
Dr. Bavya M C
Indian Institute of Technology,Bombay
Dr. Vimal Rohan
Pariyaram Medical College, Kannur, Kerala
Scope and Objectives
1. To make a portable, hand-held, easy to operate device, which can measure Na+ and K+ effectively.
2. To bring down the cost per test of Na+ and K+.
3. Ensure the detection of sodium potassium with a simple instrument where reading could be visualized in a normal android phone when connected through a USB cable port.
4. To create a point of care device, which could be, used at resource crunch situations like primary health centers, ambulance services, disaster sites etc.
5. For early and prompt identification of dyselectrolemia and to seek medical attention before complications sets in.
6. For close monitoring of electrolyte during treatment, where errors may occur during a rapid or slow correction, therefore, to warranty accurate correction.
Deliverables
For providing quality health care to the entire population in a cheap and resourceful manner using the existing technology. To help clinicians in the early diagnosis and continuous monitoring of potentially life-threatening condition, which can be effectively identified and treated. Therefore, to provide clinicians with the appropriate equipment to complement the clinical diagnosis. To make available the portable, cost-effective ElectroFinder among the primary health care centers, hospitals, and ambulances, even as a home kit which could help in early identification of dyselectrolemia and prevent life threatening complications. Scientific Output: To prevent the cause of death and disability due to dyselectrolemia, our pursuit was in the development of ElectroFinder to measure sodium-potassium variations. The device is developed with the existing technology and our focus is to miniaturize it, test its efficiency extensively and then to market it at an affordable cost to the rural and urban health care systems of our country to save people from alarming rates of mortality and morbidity.
Scientific Output
To prevent the cause of death and disability due to dyselectrolemia, our pursuit was in the development of ElectroFinder to measure sodium-potassium levels. The device is developed with the existing technology and our focus is to miniaturize it, test its efficiency extensively and then to market it at an affordable cost to the rural and urban health care systems of our country to save people from alarming rates of mortality and morbidity.
We have narrowed to two major designs for Electrofinder and currently is on field trials at various levels. The final design will be selected depending on user feedback and compliances. Necessary modifications will be done according to the feedback
Results and outcome till date
Design of ElectroFinder the portable handhled and cost effective device has almost reached 75%, nearing to its completion. Next step is to provide ElectroFinder to clinicians for complimenting in clinical diagnosis.
Societal benefit and impact anticipated
Dyselectrolemia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in geriatric age group and people with non-communicable diseases. Unfortunately, there is no cost-effective equipment which aid in the identification and treatment of dyselectrolemia at resource limited settings. We are trying to address this issue by creating a cheap, hand-held portable device which can be utilized in rural health settings, with restricted infrastructural facilities, during transport, and in disaster. Electrofinder upon development could serve its benefit both in-hospital and out of hospital scenarios. Dyselectrolemias can present with myriad of symptoms leading to extensive evaluation of patients to rule out other possible causes. A simple and rapid point of care testing at home or at primary health care contact can diagnose the variation in electrolyte levels and initiation of correction could bring down the healthcare expenses. Even in hospital scenarios, maintaining the electrolyte levels in the ICUs is a difficult task needing constant close monitoring of the levels, as under correction or overcorrection can lead to life threatening arrhythmias or permanent brain damage. A cost-effective and rapid device can address the problem of delayed identification of dyselectrolemias and streamlining of treatment decreasing the cost burden from the home to the hospital.
Next steps
Sooner the field trials will be conducted.
Publications and reports
In process
Patents
Provisonal Patent filing under process
Scholars and Project Staff
Bavya : 14/01/2019
Syeda Aliya Sana : 28/11/2018
Challenges faced
We are trying to address the problem faced in blood-serum separation.
Other information
NA
Financial Information
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Total sanction: Rs. 1,72,000,00
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Amount received: Rs. 1,29,000,00
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Amount utilised for Equipment: Rs. 52,500
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Amount utilised for Manpower: Rs. 11,42,044
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Amount utilised for Consumables: Rs. 9,13,899
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Amount utilised for Contingency: Rs. 34,35,211
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Amount utilised for Travel: Rs. 61,337
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Amount utilised for Other Expenses: 0
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Amount utilised for Overheads: Rs. 14,33,334
Equipment and facilities
Biochemical Analyzer. Lab Facilities: A separate lab was setup for the research work, which includes:
1. QD film synthesis
2. In vitro testing of electrolytes
3. Design lab for equipment modelling