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Infection Innovation Technology Laboratory: iiTECH
Pioneering sensor technology
The Infection Innovation Technology Laboratory: iiTECH is a pioneering facility that combines cutting-edge sensor technology with advanced AI analysis and machine learning.
Located at the Liverpool Life Science Accelerator building, iiTECH is the centre of activity for iiCON’s international, multi-partner sensor portfolio.
Led by Professor Patryk Kot, a leading sensor expert, iiTECH is cultivating partnerships that are helping to develop the next generation of diagnostics and healthcare solutions by pushing the boundaries of sensor technology.
Working a wide range of industry, academic, and charitable organisations including the US military, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, and the Gates Foundation, it has a portfolio of global projects – with activity in India, Africa, Europe, and South East Asia supporting community health and saving lives.
The laboratory also incorporates technology from Liverpool John Moores University’s BEST Research Institute, which has collaborated with iiCON on a number of innovative projects.
iiTECH specialises in:
Pioneering Advanced Sensor Technology: Developing cutting-edge solutions for healthcare applications.
Innovative Wearable Devices: Creating next-generation wearables for continuous patient monitoring.
AI-Driven Predictive Assessments: Leveraging AI for proactive healthcare and early intervention.
Human-Centered Clinical Testing: Ensuring usability through realistic human factors and clinical trials.
Comprehensive Quality Assurance: Utilising non-destructive testing (NDT) tools for reliability and precision.
Long-Term Monitoring Systems: Designing robust systems for continuous patient care.
Case Studies
IRS Sensor for Quality Assurance in India
iiCON is collaborating with LJMU, Care-India, EDCD, and DPHO-Nepal to pioneer the development of a portable handheld microwave (MW) sensor. This groundbreaking sensor aims to enhance the efficacy of insecticide indoor residual spraying (IRS) for the purpose of elimination of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Southeast Asia.
The sensor is designed to accurately monitor the concentration of alpha-cypermethrin on various wall surfaces and has undergone rigorous validation for implementation in both India and Nepal.
The operational process involves the application of dosed filter papers during standard spraying routines, followed by High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis to calibrate and authenticate sensor readings.
The technology incorporates a straightforward LED system to signify inadequate spraying, accurate spraying, or excessive spraying, enabling comprehensive assessment of the spraying quality. The sensor development work and validation in India was funded by the Gates Foundation.
IRS Sensor for Quality Assurance in Africa – Collaboration
This iiCON project in collaboration with LJMU, IFAKARA Health Institute-Tanzania and AgaMal – Ghana represents a continuation of previous research conducted in India and Nepal and is funded by the Gates Foundation.
Its objective is to broaden the scope of the technology to facilitate the monitoring of various insecticides currently employed in Africa.
Notably, the insecticide formulations utilised across Africa exhibit a greater degree of diversity compared to those in use in India and Nepal, encompassing five distinct classes of insecticides in multiple formulations.
Extensive field data collection endeavours were undertaken in Tanzania and Ghana for Actellic, Sylando, and Vectron insecticides. The acquired data is assigned for the development of novel prediction models aimed at ensuring the quality of selected insecticides.
Lymphatic Filariasis Sensor
A transdermal MW sensor for the detection of lymphatic filariasis, developed by iiCON, LJMU, and AIIMS Patna India, is being funded by the Gates Foundation.
The sensor prototype has undergone successful testing for detecting infused Bmmf (Brugia malayi microfilariae) in a microfilaraemic mouse model.
A subsequent iteration utilising machine learning has yielded a preliminary hardware prototype incorporating a bluetooth transmitter for cable-free wearability and remote data acquisition. The original prototype design underwent piloting in India in collaboration with AIIMS Patna, where units were tested on 96 participants within the local community setting.
Military Uniform Quality Assurance
iiCON, in collaboration with LJMU and AFRIMS in Thailand, is developing a microwave sensor to assess the concentration of Etofenprox and Permethrin insecticides on military uniforms.
The project is funded by the Deployed War-Fighter Protection (DWFP) program. The goal is to ensure that these insecticides remain effective after multiple wash cycles.
The team aims to use a microwave sensor system to monitor and validate the quality assurance of these insecticide-treated uniforms, specifically focusing on the longevity of the insecticide efficacy in tropical environments.