Low Cost Malaria Detection A Major Qualifying Project Report submitted to the faculty of WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science Submitted By: _______________________ Benjamin Grondin __________________________ Benjamin Hassett _________________________ Taryn Loomis ___________________________ Professor Zoe Reidinger Ph.D., Advisor Department of Biomedical Engineering Table of Contents Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................... 1 Authorship Page ........................................................................................................................ 5 Abstract...................................................................................................................................... 6 Table of Figures ......................................................................................................................... 7 Table of Tables .......................................................................................................................... 8 Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................................................................... 9 Chapter 2: Literature Review .....................................................................................................11 2.1 Malaria ............................................................................................................................11 2.1.1 History of Malaria ......................................................................................................11 2.1.2 Why is Malaria Still a Problem ...................................................................................11 2.2 Pathogenesis and Biology of Malarial Parasites in Humans.............................................12 2.2.1 Malarial Life Cycle .....................................................................................................12 2.2.2 Biology and Symptoms..............................................................................................13 2.2.3 Biomarkers ................................................................................................................14 2.3 Current Standards of Malaria Detection ...........................................................................17 2.3.1 Clinical Diagnosis ......................................................................................................17 2.3.2 Microscopy ................................................................................................................17 2.3.3 Rapid Diagnostics Tests ............................................................................................18 2.3.4 Treatment After Diagnosis .........................................................................................20 Chapter 3: Project Strategy .......................................................................................................21 3.1 Initial Client Statement .....................................................................................................21 3.2 Design Requirements: Technical .....................................................................................21 3.2.1 Objectives .................................................................................................................21 3.2.2 Functions ..................................................................................................................23 3.2.3 Constraints ................................................................................................................24 3.3 Design Requirements: Standards ....................................................................................24 3.4 Revised Client Statement ................................................................................................25 3.5 Management Approach ...................................................................................................25 3.5.1 General Project Phases ............................................................................................25 3.5.2 Financial Management ..............................................................................................26 Chapter 4: Design Process .......................................................................................................27 1 4.1 Needs Analysis and Functions .........................................................................................27 4.1.1 Needs Criteria ...........................................................................................................27 4.1.2 Functions and Specifications .....................................................................................27 4.2 Conceptual Designs, Design Concept Prototyping, Feasibility Studies ............................29 4.2.1 Liver Biopsy ..............................................................................................................29 4.2.2 Retinopathy ...............................................................................................................29 4.2.3 Ultrasound.................................................................................................................30 4.3 Alternative Designs ..........................................................................................................30 4.3.1 Rigidity ......................................................................................................................31 4.3.2 Volatile Organic Compounds .....................................................................................31 4.3.3 Oximetry ...................................................................................................................32 4.3.4 Polarization ...............................................................................................................33 4.3.5 Antigen Markers ........................................................................................................34 4.4 Final Design Selection .....................................................................................................34 4.4.1 Design Concept ........................................................................................................34 4.4.2 Preliminary Evaluations of Design Concepts .............................................................35 4.4.3 Final Design and Chamber ........................................................................................35 4.4.4 Identification of Red Blood Cells ................................................................................39 4.4.5 Magnet ......................................................................................................................40 4.4.6 Syringe Pump ...........................................................................................................40 Chapter 5: Final Design Verification ..........................................................................................44 5.1 Preliminary Chamber Design ...........................................................................................44 5.2 Preliminary Fluid Flow Testing .........................................................................................46 5.2.1 Initial Blood Flow .......................................................................................................46 5.3 Final Chamber Design .....................................................................................................47 5.4 Blood Identification ..........................................................................................................49 5.4.1 Luminol Testing .........................................................................................................49 5.5 Final Fluid Flow Testing ...................................................................................................52 5.5.1 Water Flow ................................................................................................................52 5.5.2 Blood Flow: Clotting ..................................................................................................52 5.5.3 Chamber Seal ...........................................................................................................53 5.5.4 Healthy Blood Flow ...................................................................................................54 2 5.5.5 Infected Blood Flow ...................................................................................................54 5.6 Sterilization ......................................................................................................................55 5.6.1 Adhesion ...................................................................................................................55 5.6.2 Sterility ......................................................................................................................56 Chapter 6: Discussion ...............................................................................................................57 6.1 Objectives ........................................................................................................................57 6.1.1 Accuracy ...................................................................................................................57 6.1.2 Cost ..........................................................................................................................58