PathScanner

Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (Perú)

Problem:

Accurate, early and convenient diagnosis of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in low-resource remote communities geographically isolated and digitally disconnected from the urbanized world is troublesome. Either the patient or their sample moves to the nearest equipped health center or the equipment and trained personnel to their residence. The mildest clinical manifestations translate in a stunted growth and development as it directly relates with school and work absenteeism.

Idea:

PathScanner will be a free android/iOS phone app for the diagnosis of NTDs by hematic pathogens that on release targets malaria, chagas, leishmaniasis and filarial worms. All a volunteer needs is an attachable lens to convert their own phones into mobile microscopes and a Giemsa-staining kit for a thick smear using a blood droplet. PathScanner is an supervised AI that discriminates individual healthy and pathogen at species level and determines infection and parasitemia without internet.

Main Beneficiaries:

Globally one-sixth of the world’s population is infected with one or more of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Disproportionately this vulnerable group congregates in developing countries and more importantly in remote communities isolated from urban centers with health facilities equipped for early diagnostic. Malaria is the most burdensome of all NTDs and is the reason for the death of an infant every 2 minutes and registers 600K deaths per year. This is avoidable. Any and every member in an endemic region in a remote community will benefit from an early diagnostic in a low-resource setting performed by minimally trained personnel without internet and the need to mobilize from their community to an urban center. PathScanner can be applied to other epidemiological situations and pathogens increasing its potential benefit to the whole range of NTDs and tropical region. An accurate and convenient diagnosis secures the trustworthiness of the population on the health system and their willingness to participate in their own treatment.

Stage:

Inspiration and ideation

SDG:

GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being

GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality


University:

Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (Perú)