Bactometer, a detector of biological substances, has emerged as an exciting tool to tackle antimicrobial resistance within hospital settings. By merging magnetic techniques with machine learning, it can identify bacteria and the mechanisms behind their resistance, all in less than 60 minutes. Credit goes to INESC Brussels Hub for this development.
Spanning over 15 years of research, Bactometer is an efficient biological detection system focused on dealing with antimicrobial resistance in healthcare facilities. It amalgamates magnetic technology with machine learning, aiming to restrain the proliferation of bacteria resistant to multiple drugs, thus greatly enhancing patient recovery rates.
Bactometer’s role is crucial in strengthening the battle against antimicrobial resistance within hospitals.
Its screening capability is precise, holding its own against sophisticated techniques like PCR.
The device is not only capable of delivering outcomes in less than 60 minutes, but it also boasts user-friendliness, without requiring specialized skills similar to the COVID test. Its price point is in line with traditional laboratory cultures, which are typically less accurate in this field.
Table of Contents
Technical Synopsis
The originality of Bactometer’s features lies in its adoption of magnetic techniques and machine learning (or “artificial intelligence”), a shift from the conventional optical methods commonly used in current technology.
The device uniquely combines two main techniques:
- Detecting cells;
- Analyzing nucleic acid (such as DNA and RNA).
Its utilization of magnetic technology makes the Bactometer immune to interferences from the sample background, as there’s no magnetic content in biological matrices. Moreover, the process of magnetic labeling removes the usually slow sample preparation stage. Samples are automatically prepared, where target bacteria are trapped and concentrated, succeeded by a detection step. The final phase includes bacterial lysis, followed by a patented method that captures analytes on the sensor, thus improving the detection limit.
The creation of the Bactometer is attributed to 15 years of relentless research at INESC, as it integrates technologies born out of this extensive research work.
Schematic of the Bactometer device. Credit: INESC Brussels Hub
The project was guided and supervised by professors from IST, including Prof. Paulo Freitas, Prof. Susana Cardoso, Prof. Moisés Piedade, Prof. Jorge Fernandes, and Prof. Gonçalo Tavares.
Members of the Magnomics start-up like Dr. Filipe Cardoso, Dr. José Germano, Dr. Verónica Romão, and Sofia Martins played crucial roles in the development of the device.
Beginning and Recognition
Portugal 2022 eAwards
The Bactometer project bagged a €10,000 prize at the ‘Portugal 2022 eAwards’, hosted by the NTT DATA FOUNDATION. It represented Portugal at the Global eAwards final in Madrid (24 -26 October 2022), and although not the ultimate winner, was part of the 15 top projects from Europe and Latin America.
HiTech Training
The team engaged in a 14-week HiTech commercialization training program aimed at research groups looking to bring their technologies to the market. This crucial training allowed the team to define the business plan and validate the initial market entry point – Intensive Care Units (ICU).
EIT Health RIS Innovation Award
As of January 2023, it emerged as a victor in the EIT Health RIS Innovation Call program, providing funding, mentorship, training, and networking opportunities for health innovators from Regional Innovation Scheme countries.
Team and Skill Set
The project’s four members include:
- Diogo Caetano (Electrical and Computer Engineering PhD, IST)
- Ruben Afonso (nearing completion of Electrical and Computer Engineering PhD, IST)
- Débora Albuquerque (nearing completion of Biomedical Engineering PhD, IST)
- Ana Rita Soares (Technological Physics PhD, IST).
Each member has distinct roles, from the design of high-precision sensor systems to hardware interfacing, contagious disease detection, and the development of Bactometer’s magnetic sensors.
Impact on Saving Lives
Around 4.5 million hospital infections in Europe yearly are linked to multidrug-resistant bacteria. Patients colonized with these bacteria introduce them into hospitals daily. Bactometer can quickly and efficiently identify bacteria strains and resistance methods, slashing the usual 48-72h wait time down to under an hour.
Quicker detection will allow for timely care, isolation if needed, and controlling the prophylactic use of antibiotics, which has added to the problem. Employed at ICU entrances and long-term care facilities, Bactometer can swiftly diagnose AMR infections, enabling containment measures. By minimizing contact, the spread of bacteria is reduced, leading to fewer infections and shorter hospital stays. A 2020 study showed that reducing AMR spread could cut extra hospital days by over 40%.
These benefits extend to societal health, quality of life, and economic savings in resources. The project is an exemplary showcase of how technological advancements can be harnessed to address critical health and societal challenges.
The device is currently under evaluation at CHULN (University Hospital Center Lisbo Norte – Santa Maria Hospital) in collaboration with ISAMB (Institute of Environmental Health).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword Bactometer
What is Bactometer and what is its purpose?
Bactometer is an innovative biological detector developed over 15 years, utilizing magnetic methods and machine learning to rapidly identify multi-resistant bacteria within hospitals. Its goal is to combat antimicrobial resistance by detecting bacteria and their resistance mechanisms in under an hour, thus improving patient outcomes and potentially saving lives.
How does Bactometer work technically?
The Bactometer combines magnetic technology and artificial intelligence to detect cells and analyze nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. Magnetic technology enables the device to be unaffected by sample background interferences, and the magnetic labeling process automates the sample preparation module. It goes through stages including bacterial capture, concentration, detection, and lysis, followed by trapping analytes on the sensor to enhance detection limits.
What are the significant achievements of the Bactometer project?
The Bactometer won a €10,000 prize at the ‘Portugal 2022 eAwards’ and was one of the winners of the EIT Health RIS Innovation Call in January 2023. The project also participated in a 14-week HiTech commercialization program to bring the technology to the market.
How will Bactometer impact patient care in hospitals?
Bactometer enables the rapid and efficient identification of bacteria strains and their resistance mechanisms. It can reduce the typical waiting time for results from 48-72 hours to less than an hour. This speed allows for timely care and isolation if needed, limiting the use of antibiotics and the spread of infections within the hospital environment. It’s estimated that it could decrease extra hospital days by more than 40%.
Who are the team members behind Bactometer?
The project team consists of four members:
- Diogo Caetano (Electrical and Computer Engineering PhD, IST)
- Ruben Afonso (nearing completion of Electrical and Computer Engineering PhD, IST)
- Débora Albuquerque (nearing completion of Biomedical Engineering PhD, IST)
- Ana Rita Soares (Technological Physics PhD, IST).
Each member has specialized roles in the project, from sensor design to hardware development and disease detection.
Where is Bactometer currently being tested?
The device is undergoing evaluation at CHULN (University Hospital Center Lisbo Norte – Santa Maria Hospital) in collaboration with ISAMB (Institute of Environmental Health).
5 comments
where can we find more info about Bactometer? i want to know how it might impact my local hospitals, very interested in tech like this.
Do you kno how costly this device would be in comparison to current methods? Looks promising, but affordability is key.
Thats amazing, can’t wait to see how this changes the way hospitals work. Less time for detecting bacteria means more lives saved! Great job.
i wonder how quickly it can be implemented worldwide. It’s an urgent need and it’s great that Portugal is leading the way, hope other countries follow soon.
Incredible development in the medcal field! We need more innovation like this, Fighting antimicrobial resistance is crucial. Glad to see it finally happening.