Singapore & US researchers working on portable device for traumatic brain injury

A portable diagnostic tool that can quickly detect traumatic brain injury (TBI) and improve treatment is being developed by researchers from Singapore and the United States. 

The teams are from Singapore's Institute of Microelectronics (IME) and SFC Fluidics, a US--based biomedical device development company. 

They're working together to develop the device for TBI, a common cause of death and disability caused by blasts, falls, knocks, traffic accidents and assaults. 

They want to produce a device that's fully-integrated and has automated biosensors. 

All it will take is a drop of blood to detect up to three biomarkers released by the brain after sustaining injury. 

These biomarker readings will be displayed on an easy-to-read screen. 

An indicator will alert the caregivers on the severity of the injury and enable them to prevent the condition from worsening. 

As the device is potable, it'll be ideal for diagnosis at the scene of the accident. 

Unlike conventional diagnostic tools such as neurological tests and computed tomography or CT scans, the biosensor device does not have to be handled by trained personnel. 

The IME is a research institute of the Science and Engineering Research Council of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, which is the lead agency for fostering world-class scientific research and talent in Singapore.