G&H | ITL Case Study: LumiPod

Overview

The LumiPod employs the latest technologies entering the medical device field – from near-field communication (NFC) and wireless charging to an associated tablet app and Bluetooth data transmission. This ground-breaking demonstrator enables us to showcase our development expertise and highlight how emerging technologies can be combined into a single instrument.

The project was the brainchild of Greg Smith, former Business Development Director, and Ian McCutcheon, Global R&D Director, Life Sciences. It provided a valuable opportunity for our designers and engineers to push the boundaries of modern technology outside the scope of a client-led project where timescales, budgets, and specifications are more tightly defined and controlled.

Results

Working closely on the project were Jeremy Robertson, Senior Systems Engineer, Sam Kuske, Electronics Engineer, and Principal Software Engineer II, Pete Wilkinson. Tasked with the device’s development, the team perfectly combined sleek, modern design with efficiency and reliability. Its functionality was based on real-world needs. However, the appearance addresses the ever-increasing push towards point-of-care diagnostics in the home environment, requiring a less clinical appearance.

Greg Smith commented, “The motivation behind this venture was to start a conversation about innovation and get people thinking outside the box – we want our customers to question how this technology can be used, whether that be to create something new or to future-proof existing products.”

Lumipod features

Near-field communication (NFC)

• Touch-free sample recognition
• Links the sample and results to a single user
• Removes human error in ID input
• Anti-counterfeiting methods with disposables
• Data can be saved locally on the RFID tag/sample itself

Wireless charging

• High ingress protection
• No trailing wires
• Convenience

Android app

• Monitor remotely
• Touch-free lid lessens contamination risk
• Monitor several experiments or patients at once
• Access data remotely via the cloud
• Access to user manuals, order information, instructions, methods, etc.

Bluetooth data transmission

• Freedom to monitor remotely
• Real-time data analysis
• Connection to a LIMS or other information management system
• Improved EMC susceptibility performance

Portability

• Use at point of care
• Move around lab or clinic to optimize your workflow
• Responsive indicator lights and sounds
• See and hear alerts without monitoring