SBIR-STTR Award

Toward the goal of developing an automated, miniaturized device to detect the body's reaction to exposure to environmental toxins, Advanced Sensor Technologies, Inc. proposes to develop a miniature device capable of providing differential blood cholinesterase analysis. The device will provide analysis of cholinesterase levels (acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase) using a single drop of blood obtained from finger prick sampling. The system will be automated such that it may be utilized by minimally trained individuals, and will provide results in less than five minutes. The proposed device will provide health clinics with units capable of screening and confirming exposure of lawn care worker, crop dusters, athletes, and first responders (i.e. EMS personnel) to chemical agents, pesticides, or other toxic chemicals. It has been demonstrated that these, and other drugs, especially those that are organophosphorous or carbamate based, inhibit cholinesterase (ChE) activity in human blood. These inhibitory effects often persist for up to 100 days in a healthy individual after exposure. Additionally, the device, designed similarly to home pregnancy tests, can be utilized by parents to test their children for exposure to environmental toxins, including pesticides on insufficiently washed fruits and vegetables.

Thesaurus Terms:
bioengineering /biomedical engineering, biomedical equipment development, environmental exposure, hazardous substance, monitoring device acetylcholinesterase, biosensor, carbamate, cholinesterase, miniature biomedical equipment, occupational health /safety, organophosphorus insecticide blood chemistry

Advanced Sensor Technologies, Inc. (AST) proposes to continue its NIH funded Phase I efforts to develop a completely automated miniaturized device capable of monitoring different types of cholinesterases from a single drop of whole blood to determine the degree of exposure of an individual to organophosphate (OP) compounds or carbamates. This device will be amenable to mass screening of pesticide workers, persons in direct contact with OP compounds, as well as soldiers and civilians potentially exposed to chemical warfare agents. Towards these goals, AST has developed a passive first generation micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) based prototype with integrated fluid acquisition and external monitoring system, and has performed tests to prove its feasibility in monitoring cholinesterase activity. AST is requesting Phase II funding to improve the Phase I prototype and develop a commercially available, completely automated device, suitable for the general population. Cholinesterase activity in blood is affected by OP compounds and carbamates, with the level of exposure inversely proportional to the toxin concentration or activity. Different types of cholinesterases are located in plasma and red blood cells, and monitoring these blood enzymes automatically, in finger-prick samples of blood, by an untrained individual, will require miniaturization and integration of several different components.

Thesaurus Terms:
biomedical equipment development, blood toxicology, cholinesterase, computer system design /evaluation, enzyme activity, monitoring device carbamate, erythrocyte, insecticide, neurotoxin, plasma bioterrorism /chemical warfare, clinical research, human subject