Non-Invasive Breathalyzer Detector to Screen the Presence of Viral Respiratory Infections

The COVID-19 pandemic is an example of human vulnerability to new communicable respiratory viral infections. Currently, most viral respiratory infections in humans are detected by sensing the presence of the pathogen's genetic material or proteins (i.e., antigens) in bodily fluids. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods are the most commonly used to detect a pathogen's genetic material. Although samples can be collected outside the lab, it requires specialized laboratories and skilled technicians to collect samples, perform the tests, and analyze results. Furthermore, these tests requires hours to days to process and provide results. Additionally, their sampling methods are generally invasive. Accelerating the development of new, near real time, inexpensive, user-friendly, non-invasive, accurate, and sensitive detection technologies will contribute significantly to the national and worldwide efforts to curb communicable respiratory viral infections, like the COVID-19 pandemic. During Phase I, Lynntech will use its extensive expertise in portable chemical and biochemical sensor development (including sensors for VOC detection) to select portable, fast, reliable sensors/detectors that could be used to detect VOC markers in exhaled breath and that are associated with infectious agents. During Phase II, Lynntech will develop prototypes of the candidate approach and conduct tests to demonstrate the device's capability in the detection of VOC markers of a viral infection.