Hilab system, a new point-of-care hematology analyzer supported by the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

The complete blood count (CBC) is one of the most requested tests by physicians. Mostly realized in conventional hematological analyzers, CBC tests are restricted to centralized laboratories, due to frequent maintenance, size of devices, and expensive costs that these analyzers require. On the other hand, most handheld CBC devices commercially available present high costs and are not liable to calibration or control procedures, which results in poor quality compared to standard hematology instruments. The Hilab system is a small-handed novel hematological platform that uses microscopy and chromatography techniques for blood cells and hematimetric parameters analysis. Combining artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning techniques, provides the main parameters evaluated in the CBC test and four-part differential WBC. For clinical evaluation, accuracy, precision, method comparison, and flagging capabilities of the Hilab System were compared with the Sysmex XE-2100 (Sysmex, Japan) results. Over the entire measuring range, a strong correlation (r > 0.9) between both methodologies was obtained for most parameters evaluated. Also, high accuracy (> 0.85), and adequate precision values were observed. The anticoagulant influence and the sample source (venous and capillary) effect were also evaluated, and no significant differences were observed (p > 0.05). Thus, considering the need for blood count point-of-care tests, especially for quickly patient management, the study indicated that the Hilab system provides fast, accurate, low cost, and robust blood cell analysis for reliable clinical use.

Analytical Accuracy and Clinical Agreement of a Novel Internet of Things and AI-based Point-of-Care Testing Laboratory

“…Previous works from our group show AI can improve the analytical precision of a method, thus enabling epidemiological conclusions on a populational level [13, 32–33]. The effective combination of internet of things and AI tools for POCT offers, in fact, an alternative to conventional laboratory testing [34].…”

Cost aware strategies for sensitivity enhancement in a SARS-CoV-2 antigen test prototype: insertion of a cotton intermembrane doubles analytical sensitivity

“…1) is one of the company's main devices, a small handheld analyzer (12.4×12.4×12.7 cm; 0.45 kg) operating in a multi-methodology scenario that is able to perform immunochromatography, immuno uorescence, colorimetry and dry chemistry point of care tests with the company's service technology as a background. Gasparin et al recently published a work describing usage of Hilab Flow for hemoglobin measurement by vertical ow dry chemistry colorimetry in whole blood as part of a complete blood count test developed by Hilab researchers, although most of the tests performed in Hilab Flow are based on lateral ow immunoassays (LFIAs) [17].…”