Global Spatiotemporal Disease Surveillance System

We propose a next-generation reader system for Rapid Diagnostic Tests using lateral flow immunoassay cartridges. The system includes a rugged and lightweight reader that is built on a cellphone platform, a centralized data server, and bio-surveillance application software. The server communicates with readers securely over Internet, cellular and other networks. Reader design aims to provide the ultimate in accuracy, sensitivity, operability, light weight and cost, as well as the ability to read cartridges of different formats and for different indications. Using this system it will be possible to provide affordable rapid diagnostics in remote places and to collect real-time geo maps about the distribution of health conditions, spread of epidemics and biothreats.