POC Hematology Analyzer for Oncology to Deliver Results in Five Minutes

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 01 Jun 2022

Image: POC hematology analyzer will build upon novel deep-UV cell analysis technology (Photo courtesy of Cellia Science)

Currently, blood cell differential testing relies on complex workflows involving expensive instruments, multiple reagents, extensive instrument calibration and maintenance, and operation by highly trained personnel. This results in long turn-around times that delay administration of critical treatments, such as chemotherapy, anti-psychotic medications, and blood transfusions. Now, a blood cell analyzer under development for CLIA-waived use at the point of care aims to provide neutrophil and platelet counts for chemotherapy patients at risk of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia.

The blood cell analyzer being developed by Cellia Science, Inc. (Fayetteville, AR, USA) has the potential to eliminate delays in providing patients with these critical treatments. The blood cell analyzer is based on label-free deep-UV imaging technology exclusively licensed from the Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, GA, USA).

Hematology analysis is a prerequisite for a number of therapies. Cellia’s technology utilizes the inherent absorption of UV light by biomolecules within cells to generate high quality, label-free images. The use of low wavelength light and the direct detection of biomolecules enable better resolution than the traditional method of staining with Giemsa or similar dyes. While the initial device will be targeted towards oncology, this technology may be extended for use in any blood cell analysis application.

“While many point-of-care diagnostics involve trading accuracy or precision for convenience, preliminary studies implementing Cellia’s imaging technique resulted in high-quality images that provided excellent diagnostic power,” said Kelly Mabry, CEO of Cellia Science.

“Because our technology appears to achieve fast, reliable, quantitative, and simple blood cell analysis in a low-cost configuration, it has great potential to simplify and improve clinical hematological analysis,” said Dr. Francisco Robles, whose lab drove the development of a UV microscopy system that could be adapted for point of care use.