Open-Source Medical Device for in Vitro Diagnosis of Malaria

Malaria remains one of the greatest public health challenges at a global level. Early diagnosis can substantially reduce the number of victims. However, in low-middle income countries, which are mostly affected, the preponderance of low resource settings (LRS), such as community clinics, does not favour this practice. Microscopy is the gold standard in the diagnosis of malaria as it allows direct visualization of the parasite. Notwithstanding its potential, microscopy requires particular care in sample preparation, equipment and reagents, and highly qualified personnel, all of which are critical. Here we describe a prototype device to produce high-quality thin blood smears which can be stained and analysed using a microscope to diagnose malaria. The device was fabricated using additive manufacturing techniques that enable local production and fit appropriately into LRS. It was tested at the Pisa University Hospital, in Italy, comparing it with gold standards.