STMicro touts bird flu-detecting VereFlu "lab-on-a-chip"

We've already seen a couple of devices designed to detect and prevent bird flu (among other viruses), but STMicro says it's got 'em all beat with its new VereFlu "lab-on-a-chip," which it developed in partnership with Veredus Laboratories. That system, the company says, will let you (or the appropriate flu-detecting folks) identify and differentiate human strains of Influenza A and B, including bird flu, in a single test within two hours, as opposed to other systems that can apparently only identify one strain at time and can take days or weeks to deliver a result. The device hasn't seen any service just yet, however, although STMicro says it has received some "very promising" sales orders from hospitals and other customers, adding that it also sees potential for the device to be used to screen travelers at airports and border checkpoints.

[Via PC World]

[Brian @ Mar 24th 2008 4:29PM]

Nice...

[phanbouy @ Mar 24th 2008 4:31PM]

is a city in France

[Brian @ Mar 24th 2008 4:36PM]

True, it is also a generic, barely above non-commital adjective often used when no other words come to mind...

[phanbouy @ Mar 24th 2008 4:49PM]

hey don't be so hard on yourself

[Chris @ Mar 24th 2008 4:33PM]

right, like they are going to hold people at the border for 2 hours. "please arrive 3 hours early for your flight." whatever.

[Kamokazi @ Mar 24th 2008 6:24PM]

China would, no problem. Right now they use a IR thermometer and aim it at your forehead to see if you have a fever...my guess is they would use this if you have a one. It's better than flat-out denying people access.

[Josheua @ Mar 24th 2008 4:52PM]

BIomedical technology is fascinating, the fact that they are developing equipment for viral specific identification is amazing in and of itself, now for something as dangerous as bird-flu, should it every make the jump to a human strain, means we have the first steps towards proper detection.

[Frun @ Mar 24th 2008 5:32PM]

So where do you put the bird?

[Technex @ Mar 24th 2008 6:41PM]

Your avatar matches you to well... :)

[brokenkeyboard @ Mar 25th 2008 12:35AM]

and how did they shrink the scientists enough to fit on the chip?

[rob @ Mar 24th 2008 8:07PM]

Do I have to spit or sneeze on it?

[Mark @ Mar 24th 2008 8:13PM]

I think you fart on it.

[gad get @ Mar 25th 2008 4:42AM]

Wow. Clever.