Russian company Splat Global has unveiled what it calls the world's first at-home rapid test, Splat Diagnostics, which assesses oral health using a set of biomarkers in just a few minutes, according to infohub.kz.
The test took about five years to develop. Over that period, the company invested more than 320 million rubles in the technology, Forbes.ru reports.
Splat Diagnostics analyzes saliva using a test strip. It measures five indicators: leukocytes, blood and hemoglobin, protein, pH level, and total saliva hardness.
Leukocytes are viewed as a marker of inflammation, the presence of blood and hemoglobin may indicate bleeding gums, and protein is used to assess the level of oral hygiene. The pH level helps evaluate the acidity of the environment and the associated risk of enamel demineralization and caries development. Total hardness reflects the mineral balance of saliva.
Together, these indicators make it possible to assess three main areas: oral hygiene, signs of inflammation, and caries risk.
The kit is designed to detect dental diseases, including caries, gingivitis, and periodontitis. It is intended to be used as an auxiliary diagnostic tool.
The kit includes a test strip, a saliva collection container, and a pipette. After the biomaterial is applied to the strip, the result is meant to be read through the Splatforma mobile app using a smartphone camera.
The app analyzes the indicators and generates personalized recommendations. It can suggest which specialist to consult.
The test therefore does not replace a doctor, but helps identify signs that require examination by a dentist.
Earlier, Kursiv wrote about the virtual assistant Asel, which works in 15 clinics and medical organizations in the city of Atyrau.