Matthew Nelson
The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command has teamed up with TrekReader to create a pocket-sized device for warfighters, nurses and first responders to detect hazardous chemical or biological substances, DVIDS reported Tuesday.
TrekReader secured non-exclusive rights to leverage the VOCKit technology as part of a patent licensing agreement with RDECOM's Edgewood Chemical Biological Center and both parties also agreed to jointly develop a new handheld universal reader under a collaborative research and development agreement.
Robert Baumgardner, TrekReader CEO, said he believes the Army-developed tool has the potential to recognize multiple biological threats.
"The sooner a person’s infection can be identified the sooner parent notification, health care logistical support and/or isolation can be accomplished,†Baumgardner added.
He plans to file a patent application on a method that would allow VOCKit to interface with smartphones and physiological monitoring devices such as fitness trackers.
The center estimates the technology can read as many as 48 diseases.
