Smart Bandage Developed at NYU Abu Dhabi Detects Covid-19 Antibodies in Minutes Even before Symptoms

Smart Bandage Developed at NYU Abu Dhabi Detects Covid-19 Antibodies in Minutes

Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have developed a smart bandage that detects antibodies to Covid-19 and other viruses within minutes, even before a patient shows symptoms.

Groundbreaking Technology

The disposable pad, which looks like a regular adhesive bandage, uses tiny gold nanoparticles to detect the presence of antibodies in the blood, according to the report. Researchers at New York University Abu Dhabi.

Fast and Accurate Detection

To use the bandage, the person pierces the tip of their finger, then the bandage is applied to the tip of the finger. The bandage detects the presence of immunoglobulin M, known as IgM, and immunoglobulin G, known as IgG, indicating the presence of viruses such as Covid-19. Within minutes, the dot on the bandage changes color to red, indicating the presence of IgM or IgG antibodies in the bloodstream.

Potential for Early Detection

It also shows how active the COVID-19 infection is, so that, for example, an early immune response shows up as dots different from an active immune response. The researchers behind the bandage, described in the journal Nature: Microsystems & Nanoengineering, believe the technology could be easily modified to detect other infectious diseases.

Advantages in Remote Areas

An inexpensive bandage can come in handy in rural areas where access to modern testing facilities is limited. “In the future, if the widespread use of patch tests is combined with smartphone reading and dedicated mobile applications, it will open up opportunities for early detection of infected people, including those without symptoms, and by isolating these people,” said Mohamed Kasaimeh, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Bioengineering at New York University Abu Dhabi.

Promising Results and Future Considerations

The researchers are hopeful that the smart bandage technology can contribute to preventing future outbreaks and epidemics through early detection. “Going forward, we will explore the potential of this technology to detect and screen for other emerging viral infections,” study co-author Mehmet Deliorman said. With timely treatment, the spread of the virus can be significantly reduced, preventing it from spreading to more people.

Source: New York Post.

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