Non-Invasive Hemoglobin Sensor

Increasing patient comfort and reducing the healthcare burden requires health innovations that address a critical need, ensure accurate and reliable results, and simplify clinical procedures. TNO’s Non-Invasive Hemoglobin Sensor is an entirely new and effective method for hemoglobin testing. A serious advancement over current state-of-the-art, the sensor enables do-it-yourself, pain-free hemoglobin testing without medical waste.

Non-Invasive Hemoglobin Sensor image

Toward better patient care

Healthcare professionals test hemoglobin (Hb) levels for a variety of reasons. Low Hb in pregnant women indicates with increased risks during childbirth. General practitioners and hospitals use Hb levels to support diagnosis, for surgical monitoring and more. Blood donors must have a certain Hb level to be able to donate.

Point-of-care, finger-prick testing is currently the common fast test with acceptable accuracy. But it requires a trained professional, takes several minutes, is uncomfortable for patients and creates medical waste with single-use cuvettes and patches.

Expertise that drives change

TNO combined its expertise in free-space optical system design, multispectral light propagation and image analysis to develop a novel, non-invasive Hb measurement system. It uses a modified fundus camera to create retinal images at specific wavelengths. The system aims to retrieve the Hb value through tissue-optics modelling and dedicated image analysis algorithms.

Since the retina offers visual access to the blood vessels, Hb levels can be tested in a pain-free way. The test is instant, so overburdened medical professionals can save significant amounts of time. The sensor can also help realise automated do-it-yourself blood donor intake procedures. Patients and donors can perform the test themselves, accelerating diagnostic throughput and further unburdening staff.

Image sensor

First of its kind

The patented technology is assumed to be the first in the world to use retinal imaging for accurate Hb testing. It offers a novel approach that supports the efficiency of healthcare providers, and makes medical diagnostics significantly more comfortable for patients. The system will be designed for both automation and scale, so it aligns well with the high-volume workflows of busy clinical practices and hospital environments.

Want to enable end-to-end automated intake in blood banks? Need effective solutions to address hospital staff shortages without compromising patient care? Contact us today to find out how the Non-

Invasive Hemoglobin Sensor offers a novel way to make your patients more comfortable, reduce cost and waste, and ensure highly accurate hemoglobin measurement in a fraction of the time.

Could this technology benefit your market position? Contact us for investment and/or development opportunities.