Second prize ($2,500): AnemiCAM
Brown University

Anemia, a pathological deficiency in hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying component of the blood, can cause fatigue, organ dysfunction, poor pregnancy outcomes and, in children, can impair growth and motor and mental development. While the disease affects an estimated 3.5 million Americans, it is an epidemic in the developing world, affecting 50% of the population in some countries. Although easily diagnosable with a simple blood test and highly treatable thereafter, screening for anemia is a significant challenge in the developing world because physicians often lack the necessary laboratory infrastructure for blood testing—and even in areas with the right facilities, needle reuse is a serious problem.

The AnemiCAM team is looking to change all that. Winners of second place in the 2006 BMEidea competition, AnemiCAM is a simple, handheld device that enables physicians to quickly and non-invasively assess hemoglobin levels in the blood. No more needles, no more risk. And the device can be manufactured for less than $100.

AnemiCAM is based on simple principles. To do a quick anemia check, doctors typically pull down a patient’s lower eyelid and check the conjunctiva, the tissue that covers the front of the eye and lines the inside of the lid. If the tissue is pale, hemoglobin levels in red blood cells may be low, indicating anemia.

But this check isn’t definitive; accurate diagnosis still requires a blood test. Using a white LED, proprietary liquid crystal technology, photodetector, battery pack, and simple processing microchip, AnemiCAM examines the conjunctiva spectroscopically, allowing diagnosis to be made in less than ten seconds and with an estimated 95% accuracy when compared with needle-based blood tests.

The AnemiCAM team has made big strides since winning BMEidea (and NCIIA Advanced E-Team grant) funding a year ago. They have developed a second-generation prototype, performed a clinical trial, and will publish the results shortly. In 2006 they founded Corum Medical, a company built around the product, and on January 1, 2007 signed a license agreement with Brown to manufacture and sell AnemiCAM. 

According to team leader, graduate student in BME and Corum co-founder and John McMurdy, there are two main areas of concern for the team right now: getting the prototype ready, and getting further funding. As far as the technology is concerned, McMurdy says they are “working on getting the second prototype cut down to size. Our current prototype cost about $2,000; the next prototype, using our proprietary liquid crystal technology, will see a huge reduction in price and size, to about the size of an iPod shuffle.”

Other concerns for the prototype include power management (making sure the battery is long-lasting and doesn’t have to be replaced often), and making sure the device is easy to use, requiring little-to-no technician training.

The team is also making strides in its initial target market of Nigeria, employing an African trade consultant and a handful of PR people. “Right now we have two people in Lagos, Nigeria,” says McMurdy. “They’re talking to doctors, getting exposure for the device, collecting information, and generating word-of-mouth interest.”

And what has been the response to the device so far?

“Overwhelmingly positive,” says McMurdy. “Most people say that the device would be incredibly useful—but only at a certain price point. Our main focus is on making it affordable. We have to hit a certain price point before the device can have a widespread impact in our target markets.”

The team is actively pursuing funding, meeting with angel groups and venture capital firms. “We’ve had several follow-up meetings so far,” says McMurdy. “There is definitely a lot of interest around the device.”

In the meantime, BMEidea and Advanced E-Team funding has been, according to McMurdy, “absolutely crucial” for AnemiCAM. “[BMEidea and E-Team] support has helped us continue moving the project forward before getting the major angel or VC funding. It’s helped us bridge the gap between having little-to-no funding and significant seed money. Without that extra help, the engineering would not be moving forward right now.”