IIT-Kharagpur invents device that can perform CBC test at just Rs 10

The average cost of a common blood test suggested by a doctor to assess a wide range of diseases is Rs 200.

IIT Kharagpur researchers invent a spinning disc-based device that performs the Complete Blood Count (CBC) test with a 95% accuracy rate at just Rs 10. However, at an average, the cost of the common blood test suggested by a doctor to assess a wide range of diseases is Rs 200. The requirement of sophisticated instruments and trained personnel increases the cost of the existing methods of this test making them expensive.

According to Professor Suman Chakraborty of IIT-Kharagpur's Department of Mechanical Engineering, they have developed a portable motorised spinning disc-based device to perform a CBC test using simple design and fabrication techniques. The device can perform haematocrit (a blood test that measures the volume percentage of red blood cells in the blood), white blood cells, red blood cells, haemoglobin, and platelet count tests with 95% accuracy.
He also added that the device is made of the type of disc that is bio-degradable and can be disposed of after performing several numbers of tests. Such innovation and development can actually bring a major shift in the expenses incurred by patients to get such diagnostic services done. It will especially help the underserved rural population at large.

The director of IIT Kharagpur, V K Tewari said that the upcoming super specialty hospital of the institute will use several of such devices to ensure the new improved reach of mobile healthcare and telemedicine to the last man of the society.

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