Wideblue, a Scottish-based medical device development specialist, is working alongside Anasyst and Teesside University to develop a low-cost optical cavity absorption system which could potentially speed up the diagnosis of sepsis by a significant factor. 

This device, which has been used as part of a clinical evaluation at an NHS hospital laboratory, passes light back and forth, within a sample, between two high reflectivity mirrors to increase the pathlength and sensitivity. Using this method to analyse blood samples, means light is passed through the system multiple times, and any subtle changes in biomarker colour can be linked to diagnosing sepsis. The whole process can be done in around 30 minutes.

Sepsis is a life-threatening illness caused by a systemic reaction to an infection - usually bacterial but also viral or fungal. Cytokines released into the blood, in response to infection, can induce widespread inflammation which leads to abnormal cardiovascular response and damage to the body's organs. In the worst cases the patient can develop septic shock with multi-organ failure. Sepsis remains the primary cause of death from infection with around six million deaths annually and with the majority of these preventable. Sepsis is a growing problem for a number of reasons including: ageing populations; more patients living with chronic disease; and the evolution of more drug-resistant pathogens.

The device developed by Wideblue was used as part of a clinical evaluation at an NHS hospital laboratory in Teesside. The prototype reader device proved to be low-cost, reliable with a high level of sensitivity compared with similar reader devices. The partners are now looking for additional funding to start full clinical trials.

Wideblue was responsible for:

• The mechanical design of the cartridge and reader
• Electronics design of the sensing head and light sources
• Firmware control for consumable indexing system
• Manufacture of single prototype for clinical evaluation purposes
• Optical design and simulation

Russell Overend, Wideblue's CEO, said: "This has the potential to be a huge breakthrough in the rapid diagnosis and early treatment of sepsis. Currently the diagnosis of sepsis is really quite slow, and for every hour that the illness is left undetected increases the mortality rate by 6-10%. This new point-of-care device could be used in hospitals or GP surgeries and will give results in around 30 minutes. We are currently still in the feasibility stage, and our partners are looking for more funding to start full clinical trials."