Handheld diagnostic device PoCOsteo

Summary
PoCOsteo is a portable point-of-care diagnostic device to identify individuals at high risk of osteoporosis and related bone diseases. Designed for on-site prevention, early detection and to inform treatment decisions by providing rapid results from minimal blood samples.

A global collaboration
Funded by the EU Horizon 2020 programme and developed by a consortium of research institutes, universities and SMEs across five countries.

Development, validation and commercialisation

• Development: integrates proteomics and genomics technologies into a single point-of-care instrument.
• Clinical validation: PoCOsteo results compared with current state-of-the-art methods (e.g. DXA and laboratory assays).
• Commercialisation: preparation for market introduction of a point-of-care tool for bone disease assessment.

Changing the game
DXA requires specialised infrastructure and detects bone loss after significant deterioration. PoCOsteo offers an affordable, portable alternative deployable in primary care settings, providing additional information on bone quality and underlying causes.

Key capabilities

• Biomarker (protein) measurement
• Genetic variation profiling
• Risk factor assessment

Results in real time
The device runs a genomic test and a biomarker assay on finger-prick whole blood, targeting a result in under one hour to support clinical decision-making and patient adherence.

Benefits highlighted

• Rapid on-site results
• Improved treatment uptake after testing
• Simple finger-prick blood sample

Microfluidic lab-on-a-chip
Uses a microfluidic cartridge where the sample is pneumatically drawn, mixed with reagents, heated for lysis and analysed by an electrochemical sensor array (64 functionalised electrodes) with integrated potentiostat. Machine vision monitors fluid handling.

Technical approach and workflow

• Pneumatic control for precise assay handling
• Multiple assays in a single automated process
• Integrated electrochemical sensing (64 electrodes) and potentiostat
• Machine vision for fluid position and movement control
• Digital storage of results

Technical specifications

• Product name: PoCOsteo
• Form factor: portable point-of-care diagnostic device
• Sample type: finger-prick whole blood
• Assays: genomic test and biomarker (protein) measurements
• Result time: designed to deliver results in under one hour
• Microfluidics: lab-on-a-chip cartridge with pneumatic fluid control
• Sensing: electrochemical sensor array (64 biologically functionalised electrodes) with integrated potentiostat
• Control & monitoring: machine vision for fluid handling accuracy
• Data: digital storage of results
• Development status: developed and clinically validated through an EU Horizon 2020 consortium; preparation for commercialisation