THe challenge
Surging demand for COVID-19 screening is exceeding the screening capacity and equipment available worldwide. The screening shortfall is particularly problematic given the high percentage of asymptomatic infectious individuals, with the potential to spread the virus in as little as two days from contracting it.
The virus is expected to be with us for a long time and experts have determined that we can only rely on antibodies and immunity to protect us for a short amount of time. This means that mass testing will be needed for the next few years to keep the world moving.
The world needs a rapid screening method that can be used at pinch point locations – airports, food processing plants, sporting events, schools, theatres and offices. This will pave the way to get the world moving again while keeping people safe.
HOW THE VIROLENS™ SYSTEM WORKS
Virolens™ is a solution based in technology and physics rather than biology which has helped this to be rapidly developed and rolled out. If successful the Virolens system is a game changer.
Currently KeyOptions is in the process of purchasing a number of pre-production systems so that we can facilitate independent trials in a number of countries.
STEP 1
The Virolens® system uses a self-administered mouth swab, which is placed inside a cartridge and inserted into the system. The Virolens system is a portable tabletop device.
Step 2
Inside the Virolens® system is a holographic microscope designed to look at nano-scale structures and look at the light diffracted off the surface of each cell in the testing sample.
Step 3
This data is run through a computer trained by AI to identify the unique pattern of the virus from other cells very quickly. This is the same process which is used to understand what distant stars and planets are made from. 4k images are produced inside the machine without having to go off to the cloud.
Step 4
The Virolens® system is completely self-contained and can give a yes/no result in 20 seconds.
Why use the virolens™ system?
This quick, low cost, easy and repeatable COVID-19 screening solution, will allow hundreds of tests per machine each day. The Virolens™ system has broad end-uses such as in offices, events, airlines and airports, where a large throughput and quick result is required. It allows people to get on with their everyday life in the knowledge they are in a safe environment. During the current pandemic, we believe that this machine will play a pivotal role in getting the world moving again
Things you need to know about Virolens
Overview
Surging demand for Covid-19 screening is exceeding capacity
The situation is complicated by the fact so many people who are infectious are asymptomatic. If we are to get the world moving again, we need a fast, reliable method of screening people for COVID-19.
In simple terms ...
The Virolens® system is a COVID-19 screening device based on microscopic holographic imaging and artificial intelligence (AI) software technology. It uses a digital camera attached to a microscope to analyse saliva samples, with the data run through a computer which is trained to identify the virus from other cells, delivering an end result in just 20 seconds. The Virolens® system was trained to recognise the COVID-19 virus particles in saliva using a range of samples of COVID-19 virus provided by virologists working on the virus at the University of Bristol. The Virolens® system has a 99.8% sensitivity and 96.7% specificity, based on the results of an internal in-vitro validation study, demonstrating an exciting proof of concept.
The world needs a rapid screening test...
...that can be used at pinch point locations – airports, food processing plants, sporting events, schools, theatres etc. that will pave the way to move forward and get the world moving again while keeping citizens safe.
What we have with the Virolens® system is the solution for this global issue and is something that will get the whole world moving.
This quick, low cost, easy and repeatable COVID-19 test
Currently, the Virolens® system is only trained to look recognise COVID-19
The Virolens® system is important in the future of biosecurity
In the future...
A bit of background on i-ABra and Virolens
About i-Abra
i-Abra is a high-tech company founded in 2010 and headquartered in Bedfordshire, UK. It is focused on AI solutions for searching ‘dense data’ for information in ground-breaking research.
i-Abra has been developing their neural network image analysis software for 10 years with applications in autonomous driving, which are already in production. Using their experience, i-Abra has developed a brand-new test for COVID-19, Virolens®, that is based on the new application of an existing technology. They are working in partnership, with design and exclusive manufacturing expertise from TT Electronics and powered by Intel.
They have developed a brand-new test where the Virolens® system is a COVID-19 screening device which combines holographic microscopy with artificial intelligence. Virolens® is able to detect the presence of the COVID-19 virus from a non-intrusive saliva swab test within 20 seconds. The Virolens® system then gives a yes/no result.
Looking at this in slightly more detail, the Virolens® system is a viral-scale microscope where we look at the light diffracted off the surface of each cell in the testing sample. Using this holographic imaging, the system then runs the data through a computer that is trained to identify the virus from other cells incredibly quickly meaning that the test only takes 20 seconds from start to finish and each machine can run hundreds of test per day.
The Virolens® system is much cheaper to run than a lab, is incredibly simple to use, can be operated by minimal people and does not require a trained biologist to determine the results as its AI driven software gives a simple yes or no response to whether a user has the virus.
Additional services
Whilst KeyOptions is bringing the Virolens solution to market, our core focus is to provide some of our more traditional services around the Virolens solution. Over the coming months we will be announing:
- Consulting services
- Systems integration into existing environments
- Our Assets-in-Motion solution to better manage Virolens machines, accessories, and other data analytics.
- Customised App development for clients specific needs
- Managed services
- We see a whole new eco-system being built around the Virolens system on the successful introduction of the system
Please contact us at virolens@keyoptions.com if you would like any further information on using Virolens in your environment.
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