Women’s health
in cows. SCC reflects the immune response within the udder and is widely adopted as a proxy for subclinical infection. More recently, diagnostic approaches that combine SCC with additional parameters, such as differential cell counts, have been shown to improve sensitivity and specificity, enabling earlier and more precise detection of mastitis at the individual animal level. This builds on the strengths of SCC, while addressing its known limitations as a non- specific biomarker.4 Similar principles are now being explored in women’s health. A recent pilot study demonstrated that SCC thresholds established in the dairy industry (more than 2.5 x 105 cells/ml) may also be effective in identifying subclinical mastitis in lactating women. Elevated SCC levels were shown to correlate strongly with inflammatory markers such as interleukin-8, indicating that SCC could serve as a meaningful indicator of otherwise asymptomatic breast inflammation.5 Successful use of the SCC biomarker in dairy farming highlights how routine, repeatable measurement embedded into everyday scenarios can enable earlier intervention at scale. Translating this principle into human healthcare could help accelerate the adoption of new biomarker-led diagnostics. Doing so requires more than technical insight; it demands a holistic approach to feasibility, usability and implementation. To explore how this could be achieved, we developed a concept – the celleste device – aimed at enabling earlier detection of mastitis in lactating women.
Designing for real-world postnatal care Our work combined user research, concept development and exploratory microbiological testing to assess how the concept might function in real-world settings. Through interviews and co-creation sessions with mothers, we examined potential care pathways and daily use scenarios, ensuring the design aligned with the practical demands of early parenthood. In parallel, laboratory testing using
representative breastmilk samples evaluated
whether impedance-based measurements could reliably detect inflammation-related SCC changes. Together, these activities provided early evidence for both the technical feasibility and the practical viability of a home-use diagnostic grounded in SCC. Insights from user research highlighted the diversity of postnatal experiences and the practical constraints faced by mothers. Feeding methods, daily routines and home environments varied significantly, yet a consistent theme emerged: solutions must fit seamlessly into busy, often unpredictable schedules. The celleste concept was designed to enable simple, intuitive testing at any point during the day, requiring only a few drops of milk to generate a rapid indication of SCC. This supports regular, proactive monitoring of breast health, allowing mothers to spot early signs of inflammation before symptoms develop. Form factor was another important consideration. To be effective, the device needed to be portable, discreet, and easy to clean, with simple and intuitive sample collection. Immediate, easy to interpret feedback was central to the concept. The device provides a simple indication of whether further action may be needed, while an optional companion app provides more detailed information and tailored guidance on symptom management. Importantly, our focal point was early,
preventative action rather than responding to established symptoms. Where elevated somatic cell levels are detected, users can be guided towards practical, proactive steps to help reduce inflammation, such as adjusting feeding patterns, applying heat, or expressing milk from the affected breast. If symptoms develop or persist, appropriate escalation to clinical care
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can be prompted. This approach could support structured postnatal care pathways, enabling earlier intervention within community settings. Identifying issues before symptoms escalate may reduce the need for GP consultations and antibiotic prescription through consistent, preventative care. Overall, the celleste concept illustrates how
clinically relevant biomarkers can underpin practical tools that support early detection in everyday settings. By linking biomarker measurement to clear guidance, it has the potential to reduce uncertainty, support self- management, and enable timely intervention within existing care pathways.
Extending the model: opportunities in endometriosis diagnosis Harnessing known biomarkers in accessible diagnostic devices could also support earlier diagnosis of endometriosis. Current diagnostic pathways rely on imaging techniques, such as transvaginal ultrasound and MRI, both of which have variable sensitivity across different forms of the disease. Laparoscopic surgery remains the current reference standard, but its invasive and resource-intensive nature can contribute to significant delays in diagnosis. As a result, there is growing interest in a
range of non-invasive approaches, with sample types including venous blood, saliva, and menstrual blood being investigated for their diagnostic potential. Among these, menstrual blood has emerged as a particularly promising sample, as it contains endometrial cells, immune components, and inflammatory markers shed directly from the uterus, providing insight into the disease environment. Studies have reported encouraging
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