Field Portable Device for Brain Injury Diagnosis

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a major cause of cognitive deficits, as well as a series of physiological and psychological disorders, that can result in both short-term and long-term problems. Unfortunately, closed head injuries are difficult to detect, and early detection is necessary to improve the treatment and therapy of injured personnel. To address this important and urgent health problem, Intelligent Optical Systems, in collaboration with Prof. Edward Dixon of the University of Pittsburgh, proposes to develop a field test kit to diagnose TBI. Lateral flow assay test strips were designed and developed to measure the concentrations of S100ƒÒ and NSE. Phase I results show that the concentrations of the biomarkers S100ƒÒ and NSE correlate negatively with the Glasgow Coma Scale and the Glasgow Outcome Scale. This new assay format provides an easy-to-use format suitable for field-use. In Phase II, we will include additional biomarkers, optimize the test strips fabrication, develop a portable reader, and conduct clinical studies to characterize and validate the test strip performance. The successful completion of this project will result in a device that can be used by military personnel to rapidly diagnose TBI, even in battlefield conditions.