GENTAG, Inc. and its partners have just demonstrated a new disposable wireless diagnostic test platform for smartphones that uses NFC (Near Field Communication). The technology, based on immunoassays, can test for pregnancy, fertility, pathogens, AIDS, drugs, allergens, and even certain types of cancers. NFC is included in the Android 2.3 Gingerbread. This technology could be the healthy icing on the Gingerbread man or woman.
The technology works as a test medium with an NFC chip in it that is adhered to a smartphone owner's body with a "smart" bandage. Then the NFC reader in the smartphone reads the information on the NFC-enabled medium and alerts the user and/or doctor through software on the smartphone.
Note that this is different from what was previously reported by bloggers with the title "Pee on Your Phone to Test for STDs," which used a USB Dongle connected to the phone. More than likely the user of this technology would urinate on a test medium/strip that had an NFC module in it. The NFC-enabled smartphone app would read the information form the test "strip."
"This technology breakthrough will enable much more rapid diagnoses for diseases and make diagnostics more accessible and affordable for more people worldwide," announced Dr. John Peeters, the founder of GENTAG.
GENTAG started with well-established immunoassay technology and made it wireless and compatible with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, which enables consumers to use their cell phones as diagnostic tools to instantly test for pathogens, allergens or common medical conditions .
GENTAG's immunoassay can be used for women's health concerns, including ovulation, fertility, and PROM (labor). For the men's health market, it offers a urine-based prostate cancer test (PCADM-1); and tests for common food allergens. There is also a way to for diabetics to monitor glucose levels.
NFC is currently being integrated into all major cell phone brands, and GENTAG is working with major OEMs worldwide to promote the uses of its disposable wireless sensor platform for consumer markets.
The new wireless immunoassay technology is expected to rapidly impact the multi-billion dollar markets for OTC diagnostic tests, consumer markets, food safety markets, and homeland security.
GENTAG, Inc. is a technology development company focusing on the creation of innovative, low-cost, wireless sensor technologies based on cell phones. The company owns a unique intellectual property portfolio relating to cell-phone sensor combinations and wireless sensor networks and was awarded the 2008 Frost & Sullivan's 2008 North American Award for Technology Innovation.