Rapid Results Achieved with Handheld Diagnostic Platform

A functional prototype of a new handheld system for on-the-spot diagnostic results has been completed.

The AgPlus Diagnostics (Bedfordshire, United Kingdom) platform utilizes electrochemical immunoassay technology in a microfluidic chip format. The signalling and measurement system, based on the detection of amplified silver ions by anodic stripping voltammetry, allows sensitive, accurate, and quantifiable results to be obtained from a small sample volume (50 µL) within minutes. No sample preparation is required, making it ideal for multiple sample types and for testing in a range of settings.


The AgPlus technology prototype demonstrates an assay for human Troponin I, a cardiac marker used in clinical settings. The AgPlus Troponin I assay is currently showing a dynamic range of 0.1–50 ng/mL in a nonoptimized format with assay run times of 10 minutes. AgPlus tests for cortisol and testosterone are being developed, which will be applicable in sports science applications.

Via a portable handheld device (with WiFi and Bluetooth technology for storage and communication of results), AgPlus technology offers fully quantitative laboratory-equivalent analysis of multiple analytes from a single sample.

“The first working AgPlus technology system prototype is an important milestone for AgPlus Diagnostics, demonstrating the successful coming together of this novel diagnostic assay and its unique analytical platform to achieve a fully functional, portable system that can deliver accuracy and sensitivity that’s on a par with laboratory analyzers,” commented Keith Page, CEO of Agplus Diagnostics.

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AgPlus Diagnostics