BD, SightDX Collaborate for Malaria Detection

Medical technology manufacturer Becton Dickinson and Co. (BD) has announced a collaboration with medical device developer Sight Diagnostics Ltd. (SightDX) to introduce a parasite malaria detection device in India.

The SightDX Parasight Malaria Detection Platform uses computer vision technology to analyze blood samples for malarial parasites. Innovative software algorithms, specialized optics and a new sample preparation method are combined to prepare patient samples quickly, easily and reliably. The instrument automatically analyzes the sample and provides a diagnostic result within four minutes. The device can also provide information on the species of the infecting malarial parasites and provide information that may be used by clinicians to aid in determining the severity of the illness.

In 2013, approximately 880,000 cases of malaria were reported in India with over 128 million tests performed. The Parasight Malaria Detection Platform will be marketed in pathology labs and hospitals across the country and applied in blood banks where malaria testing is mandatory on all blood donations. The device has undergone field-testing at a number of Indian and international laboratories where it demonstrated a high degree of sensitivity and specificity at very low levels of infection.