Biosensors foster the more careful and effective use of antibiotics. At present patients are often given standard doses, which for some individuals may be too low (so that the bacterial infection is not treated effectively and antibiotic resistance occurs) or too high (which is harmful to health). As it takes roughly a day to take bloods and have them tested in a laboratory, dosages cannot be adjusted quickly and effectively. A biosensor would make it possible to measure the concentration of antibiotic quickly and easily and adjust the medicine dosage immediately, thus allowing for the correct dosage moment to moment.
It is not just about the development of the biosensor. The students also have to think about the commercial side. Team T.E.S.T. sure has ideas about this. Robert van Dijk: “Our biosensor will ensure that hospital patients can be discharged from the hospital earlier and can switch to home care. This yields a profit for hospitals, health insurers and patients. Our device works with cartridges that measure the amount of vancomycin in the blood and help the doctor prescribe the new dose.”
There are four awards in total of which one is awarded by the public. Each award has a first and second prize. TU/e team T.E.S.T. won the second prize in the public inspiration category. Switzerland received the most prizes: the first prize for analytical performance, the second prize for creativity and the second prize for translational potention. The latter is focused on the market potential and strategy to bring the idea to the market and make it successful. Victor Steininger of the Swiss team SenSwiss had a special idea about this: “Our device will be available free of charge to healthcare professionals and the money is earned with the tests”.