Difference between revisions of "Team:Queens Canada/Market"

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<h3 style="width:1200px;margin-left:12%">Electrical Design</h3>
 
<p style="width:1200px;margin-left:12%">The light to frequency sensor used as a luminometer was attached to a digital input on the microcontroller. When
 
the sensor detects a photon, it sends a pulse of high voltage to the digital input which is then detected by the
 
controller. To properly count each photon, an interrupt was attached to this digital input in the software, such that
 
any time the controller received a pulse of high voltage, the rest of the program was interrupted, and the photon
 
count was increased. By allowing the program to run for a set amount of time, a rate can be calculated for the number
 
of photons per second. By increasing the length of this sampling period, lower levels of light can be more accurately
 
measured and compared.
 
 
To transmit the data wirelessly, we have begun to develop an application for BLE transmission of luminometer data from within the pacifier to a smart phone device. Our code for BLE transmission can be found below. Additionally, apps avialable on the itunes appstore already exist and were used for wireless transmission of data. See the screenshot of wireless Luminometer data transmission below:
 
 
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2018/7/75/T--Queens_Canada--Wirless_Transmission.jpeg" alt='wirelessLum' style="height=50%"/>
 
  
  
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<h2 style="width:70%;margin-left:15%">Market Direction Analysis</h2>
 
<h2 style="width:70%;margin-left:15%">Market Direction Analysis</h2>
 
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Following our interview series, we reflected on all the insight we had gained from the various experts, parents, and community members. We came to the conclusion, that the use of the diagnostic pacifier device, was perhaps not best fit in the hands of all parents, because they may lack the scientific literacy to properly interpret fluctuations in their child's hormone levels.
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Ultimately, we weighed impact and feasibility in our design and proposed the following go to market-strategy for our device, detailed in the graph and table below. Most immediately, the technology we worked on developing this year could be best utilized by researchers for the immediate quantification of hormones in samples, following appropriate testing and clinical trials this device could benefit researchers as a non-invasive method of measuring salivary analytes. After the product has gained validation by clinicans, we would hope that the device could be used for non-verbally expressive individuals, such as those suffering from neurodevelopmental disorders to gauge well-being. Additionally, this device may have application in those suffering from neurodegenerative disease as a tool to gauge their well-being. Lastly, if the device is approved for such an indication, it may benefit wider audiences to track hormone levels and gain greater visibility to their endocrine health.
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<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2018/b/bb/T--Queens_Canada--marketstrategy.png" alt='wirelessLum' style="height=50%"/>
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<div class="timeline" style="width:70%;margin-left:15%">
 
<div class="timeline" style="width:70%;margin-left:15%">

Revision as of 02:39, 14 October 2018

Market Direction Analysis


Following our interview series, we reflected on all the insight we had gained from the various experts, parents, and community members. We came to the conclusion, that the use of the diagnostic pacifier device, was perhaps not best fit in the hands of all parents, because they may lack the scientific literacy to properly interpret fluctuations in their child's hormone levels. Ultimately, we weighed impact and feasibility in our design and proposed the following go to market-strategy for our device, detailed in the graph and table below. Most immediately, the technology we worked on developing this year could be best utilized by researchers for the immediate quantification of hormones in samples, following appropriate testing and clinical trials this device could benefit researchers as a non-invasive method of measuring salivary analytes. After the product has gained validation by clinicans, we would hope that the device could be used for non-verbally expressive individuals, such as those suffering from neurodevelopmental disorders to gauge well-being. Additionally, this device may have application in those suffering from neurodegenerative disease as a tool to gauge their well-being. Lastly, if the device is approved for such an indication, it may benefit wider audiences to track hormone levels and gain greater visibility to their endocrine health. wirelessLum

Use by parents to monitor child’s stress levels and general well-being

Pros
  • Can remove any communication barriers between parent and child
  • Ability to measure Δ cortisol could be useful in evaluating changes over time
  • Useful in the early detection of illness and prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Cons
  • Continual monitoring may lead to more anxiety in parents
  • Expensive technology
  • Difficulties in establishing a baseline
  • Knowing the information does not have a substantial effect; minimal chance for intervention



Used as a dignostic test in clinical settings

Pros
  • Non-invasive procedure
  • Instant results could facilitate faster diagnosis leading to earlier intervention plans
  • Could help reduce extensive wait times in clinics or Emergency Room (ER)
  • Little training required to operate, would reduce the need for highly trained personnel
Cons
  • Concerns about biomarkers in saliva being as accurate as plasma samples
  • Sensitivity and specificity must be very high for proper diagnosis



Use in monitoring treatment in clinical settings

Pros
  • Non-invasive method Instant and ongoingsurveillance
  • Could be used to evaluate metabolism of hormone
  • Help to determine personalised treatment plan and dosage
  • Could be useful in determining effectiveness of a treatment
Cons
  • Concerns about biomarkers in saliva being as accurate as plasma samples
  • Expensive to replace cartridges



Used in research studies to monitor levels of specific biomarker(s) in saliva

Pros
  • Could replace disruptive method of salivary collection
  • Could reveal critical information missed in current studies
  • Easier to complete studies with young children and infants
Cons
  • Would need different designs that don’t interrupt the studies and are less noticeable
  • Would need different designs to use in studies with people of all ages
  • Must be incredibly sensitive and specific for the desired biomarker