Test & measurement
New rapid testing device for COVID-19 immunity
Electronics specialist Mantracourt has helped engineer a new rapid test which will tell people whether they have immunity against coronavirus and whether that immunity comes from developing antibodies after infection or the vaccine. The device, which is a UK first, was designed by Attomarker, a spin-out company from the University of Exeter, and is currently in use at their Exeter-based clinic.
A
ttomarker, a spin-out company from the University of Exeter, has developed a new COVID-19 triple
antibody testing device to tell people whether they have antibodies protecting them against COVID-19 and whether those antibodies come from vaccination or a previous infection. The rapid testing machine
was developed in collaboration with Exeter- based company Mantracourt who have taken the initial design through to production, standardisation and testing. “We started off by building the device for Attomarker, but it quickly became apparent that there were other areas where we could assist to deliver the project such as machine validation
testing,” explained Robert Badcock, managing director at Mantracourt. “We undertook pre- compliance testing and discovered the electronics and communication systems in the device could be improved. “We designed a new power distribution
module, new USB components and a USB hub, as well as replacing several of the specified cables in the unit,” added Badcock. “Overall, we managed to improve the kit while reducing around 60 per cent of the cost and also reduced noise, which is important from an EMC point of view.” Mantracourt’s agile manufacturing capabilities meant that the company was able to take Attomarker’s design and specifications and refine it thanks to its expertise in electronics and mass- production requirements. “We took the design concept and helped
Attomarker make it more suitable for mass production,” continued Badcock. “Mantracourt is very used to helping our customers find efficiencies and opportunities during the design cycle which means we can quickly start manufacturing. Ultimately, our involvement in this project helped finalise the device and bring it to market much sooner”. Attomarker’s seven-minute COVID-19 antibody
testing device has been launched in Exeter-based clinics and is due to be rolled out across the UK as a national service to those aged 16 and over.
Mantracourt 48
www.mantracourt.com October 2021 Instrumentation Monthly
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78
