A report released by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (
www.imeche.org) highlights how a new medical device that combines nano-technology with a ‘pregnancy tester’ could help to diagnose and treat the 1 million people in the UK who do not know that they have kidney disease.
Developed by engineers in London, the £10 device can be used at home and could revolutionise kidney disease care in the UK, which currently costs the NHS over £1.4 billion — more than breast, lung, colon and skin cancer combined.
Created by Bio Nano Consulting, the device — called QELFA (quantitative electrochemical lateral flow assay) — uses nano-particles to test the patient’s urine and gives the result in seconds. Furthermore, it is linked to the patient’s surgery via mobile technology so doctors can track how the disease is developing.
The IMechE’s new report — Nano-technology: The Societal Impact of the Invisible — highlights the enormous potential for nanotechnology in our society and calls on the Government to increase funding for development in this area to ensure that the UK does not fall behind other nations.
Helen Meese, head of materials at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said: “Nano-technology could revolutionise the way we live our lives, but despite its 40 years in the public domain, the nano-technology industry is still failing to engage with society.
"The Government must provide more funding to ensure that the UK benefits fully from nano-technology’s potential. The QELFA device is a brilliant example of what’s possible. Using an old technology like a pregnancy test and combining it with nano-technology, you have a device that could not only diagnose the million people in the UK who are unaware that they have kidney disease, but also help doctors to effectively monitor those undergoing treatment. It could also save the NHS millions of pounds a year.”