Health care systems in India need a big boost as they are poorly managed. A lot of changes are required whether it is urban or rural, public or private health care. Lakhs of children and pregnant women die every year due to lack of accessibility to diagnose anaemia. To fight this issue, Biosense Technologies, a Mumbai-based medical technology organisation developed a portable gadget called ToucHb.
ToucHb is a battery operated device that screens anaemia. The device measures the count without the prick of a needle. It is a hand-held needle-free battery operated haemoglobin estimation device that gives instant readings. With ToucHb, the company aims to equip health workers with a device that is expected to last more than 100 tests. The battery can be easily recharged.
Condition of anaemia without drawing blood, can be checked by identifying the presence of pallor in conjunctiva, tongue and nail bed. However, the tongue pallor can be affected by oral hygiene. Perfusion, which determines the flow of blood to the extremities, also affects the colour in the nail bed. The conjunctiva pallor is a reliable factor to detect anaemia.
The ToucHb device captures the picture of conjunctiva and uses the method of reflectance photometry to estimate the haemoglobin content in blood in grams per decilitre. ToucHb not only focuses on the easy functionality factor but also on the affordability factor.
Over the years ToucHB has evolved. The initial version worked on plethysmography using a probe that patients had to wear on a finger. It works using optical technique photoplethysmography (PPG), where light of different wavelengths is shone through skin tissue.
In its latest version, ToucHb is placed on the right eye to cap- ture an image. The images are then analysed to quantify the con-junctival pallor, which is the paleness of the skin and mucous membranes caused due to the reduced amount of oxyhaemoglobin in the blood. It is a simple, inexpensive, painless and non-invasive detector for anaemia, and requires no needles and no pricking.
Biosense Technologies, set up in 2008 by Myshkin Ingawale and his friend Dr. Abhishek Sen is working to provide affordable healthcare to all. As a result, the new ToucHb fits the Indian context due to its affordability, portability, and supporting caregivers of different education levels. In 2012, Myshkin received the Anjani Mashelkar Inclusive Innovation Award, which recognises and rewards innovators who develop solutions for the underprivilege
FEATURES:
Non-Invasive : Needle free and painless anaemia screening
Instant Results : Haemoglobin test result displayed in about one minute
Lightweight and Portable : Hand held device weighing less than 300g
Easy Use: Simple three step testing process.
Affordable and Reliable : No recurrent or hidden costs, can be used in
primary health settings & screening programmes
