WANA (Jul 28) – An Iranian Innovator who returned to the country after earning a PhD in Nanoelectronics from Sweden’s KTH Royal Institute of Technology is developing a groundbreaking medical device capable of detecting sepsis in under 30 minutes using a blood sample. The project, which integrates nanotechnology and artificial intelligence, aims to offer a faster and more affordable alternative to current international options.

 

Sepsis Diagnosis in Just 30 Minutes

Dr. Seyed Amir Hossein Azizi, who launched a health-tech startup after returning to Iran a year ago, explained in an interview that the sepsis detection device is now in its final stages of development. “Sepsis is an aggressive immune response to infection, commonly seen in post-surgical patients or those with wounds,” he said. “Unfortunately, its global mortality rate is even higher than cancer.”

 

Under current protocols, suspected sepsis cases require lab testing that takes up to two days. “Our device aims to reduce this to just 30 minutes using a blood sample,” Azizi noted. “That can dramatically improve patient survival and prevent long-term disability. Studies show early detection increases treatment success by up to 70%.”

 

More Biomarkers, Lower Costs

Although similar devices exist abroad, Azizi’s team has enhanced the design by increasing the number of biomarkers tested—improving accuracy—while keeping production costs significantly lower than international alternatives. “Globally, very few devices can deliver results this quickly,” he added.

 

The technology relies on the rapid identification of specific blood markers, allowing for a much faster and more efficient diagnostic process. Azizi emphasized that no comparable domestic product currently exists in Iran.

 

Portable Device for Blood Clotting Tests Also in Development

Azizi also discussed another device his team is developing to monitor blood clotting factors, particularly for elderly patients who need frequent testing. “With this device, there’s no need for repeated lab visits,” he said. “Results are delivered instantly to the physician, and remote consultations are possible.”

 

Designed for home use, the portable device works like a smart blood glucose monitor but with added AI capabilities. Unlike expensive foreign models, it is being designed to be both affordable and user-friendly. It can interpret D-dimer levels and other indicators using AI models trained on medical datasets.

 

Smart Treatment Recommendations in Progress

Azizi said they are also working on integrating a smart treatment recommendation feature into the devices. “Based on the test results, the system will suggest appropriate drug dosages, allowing patients to manage treatment without in-person visits.”

 

The device’s pre-production phase was completed in Canada, though the team encountered challenges obtaining standardized test samples. “Despite this, we achieved high accuracy and low error margins,” he confirmed.