Using microwave sensor products to help eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)

Diagnostics – Platform Six – Impact Study

iiCON has developed an international and multi-partner portfolio of microwave sensor products to help eliminate various NTDs. The technology offers low-cost handheld solutions for non-invasive measurements, and the implementation of artificial intelligence provides an instant assessment of the measured substrate. Currently, this technology is used to improve the quality of insecticide indoor residual spraying (IRS) activities in Southeast Asia. The device can monitor the concentration of alpha-cypermethrin on any wall surface and is validated for use in India and Nepal. The success of this technology has led to further research and expansion to enable monitoring of multiple classes of insecticides currently used in Africa. Additional field data collection was undertaken in Tanzania and Ghana for Actellic, Sylando, and Vectron insecticides. The collected data is used to develop new prediction models for quality assurance of selected insecticides on sprayed surfaces.

The sensors’ capability to monitor surfaces has led to further assessment of the concentration of Etofenprox and Permethrin insecticides on military uniforms (funded by the Deployed War Fighter Program) to ensure they remain effective after multiple wash cycles. The aim is to use a microwave sensor system to monitor and increase the quality assurance of these insecticide-treated uniforms, specifically focusing on the longevity of the insecticide efficacy in tropical environments. The flexibility offered by the microwave sensor enabled the development of a transdermal MW sensor for lymphatic filariasis detection (funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation).

A second iteration of machine learning enabled design has resulted in a hardware preliminary prototype with a linked Bluetooth transmitter for cable-free wearability and remote data acquisition. The initial prototype design has been piloted in India in partnership with AIIMS Patna, where prototype units were tested with 96 participants in the local community setting.