National Chiao Tung University has developed the world''s first "quantitative" COVID-19 rapid screening detection system, which can test for COVID in just five minutes. Unlike the traditional methods in "qualitative" screening, which can only determine whether someone has been infected, this system can also detect the level of coronavirus antibodies, antigens and nucleic acids in the human body. It is therefore able to analyze the stage and level of COVID-19 infection of the patient. Let''s see it in action.
Stephany Yang
Formosa News reporter
Chiao Tung University has developed the world''s first quantitative rapid screening detection system. Not only can the system detect whether someone has COVID-19, it can also determine the level of infection of the patient.
Drop a 0.02 ml blood sample into this machine, which is equipped with a biological sensor chip and a chemical sensor device. In just five minutes, it can identify the level of coronavirus antibodies, antigens and nucleic acids in the body. It''s the world''s first quantitative rapid screening system for COVID-19.
Chen Wen-liang
National Chiao Tung University
In our test, we used the antibody, antigen, nucleic acid to specifically target the virus. We can quantitatively find out the concentration of the virus and the concentration of the antibody. Using this technology, we can distinguish which step of the patient.
This quantitative detection system was developed by National Chiao Tung University in collaboration with biomedical companies. Unlike “qualitative” screening, which can only obtain whether someone has been infected, this screening system delivers data on the level of antibodies, antigens and nucleic acids of the novel coronavirus in the human body. Based on the concentration of biomolecules, it can judge the level and stage of the infection, and formulate follow-up isolation and treatment methods to provide the best medical care for the patient.
Chen Wen-liang
National Chiao Tung University
Traditional is just rapid test. Rapid test is just “yes and no.” They don''t know how many virus or how many concentration of antibody. That''s the difference. If we know the virus particles or antibody concentration, we can distinguish the different stage of the patients. The accuracy right now, we used the clinical sample. Thirty positive samples and 70 negative samples, we distinguish all of them. Using the clinical sample, it''s 100% success.
Chiao Tung University says it is currently applying for certification from Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration. The screening system has already obtained emergency approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for clinical testing, and is expected to be mass-produced and launched in 2021.
