Six biomedical and COVID-related technologies were presented to industry partners and government representatives on the second day of the TeknoLusugan event for prospective partnerships in terms of further development, licensing, commercialization, and scaling up. The event formed part of the 2020 Science and Technology celebration of UP Manila. Below are the technologies and their presenting authors.
Development of Genetic Risk Score for the Prediction of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in Filipinos
Dr. Michael L. Tee
SLE is a complex prototypic autoimmune disease which is multi-factorial with genetic and environmental factors affecting its development. The study developed a Genetic Risk Score (GRS) to predict SLE in Filipinos. The GRS allows for the conversion of genetic data to a predictive measure of disease susceptibility by aggregating the risk effects of disease loci into a single risk score. The method is especially useful for SLE which has been associated with a strong genetic background.
However, no significant association between the GRS and the subphenotypes of the SLE patients in the study was observed. But it pointed to the possibility of using the selected 12 susceptibility Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in classifying individuals with high risk of developing SLE. A larger sample size is required to assess risk of acquiring a particular SLE manifestation of subphenotype.
Pilot study on the use of V-R in cognitive behavioral screening competencies in adolescent’s cohort
Dr. Francis Gregory Samonte
The study aimed to develop a portable Virtual Reality (V-R) device that can potentially bridge the gap in health care accessibility brought about by limited availability and/or access to qualified clinical specialists. The V-R can also serve as a tool in the assessment of neurocognitive and related disorders particularly in children and adults in poor resource areas, and during the COVID-19 pandemic when mental health problems are on the rise.
The device was used in a pilot study conducted in March 2020 on a cohort of students of the Subic National High School. Its key features are ability to quantify sensorimotor behavior; ability to support a broad range of behavioral tasks to objectively quantify brain function; and portability and wearability. The V-R includes early development skills test for toddlers such as attention and focus skills, memory skills, association skills, language skills, and fine motor skills. The prototype is awaiting patent application. There is need to optimize study through a higher number of cohorts.
Philippine Carrageenan Lyophilized Wafers
Razile Kay A. Quibin
Lyophilized wafers are porous, light, soft and non brittle structures produced via freeze drying of gels made from hydrophilic polymers. They are ideal for wound dressing, wirh a high absorption ability for excess fluids in the skin, and can be incorporated with topical drugs which can be administered directly on the wound site.
The Philippines is a leading producer of carrageenan that is widely used in the food industry and for personal care products and pet food products. The study explored the potential uses of carrageenan in topical drug delivery and wound management. In the study, wafers were successfully obtained from gels using Philippine Natural Grade carrageenan and traditionally refined carrageenan. A plasticizer and a topical antimicrobial drug were also added to improve wafer properties and observe drug release, respectively. The wafers demonstrated properties that are useful for potential wound dressing and vehicle for topical drug delivery.
A patent has been filed for the product, the next status of which will be its clinical and cosmetics application.
Clinical Validation of an Ergonomically Designed Kerrison Rongeur
Dr. Rafael Bundoc
Endoscopic Spine Surgeries (ESS) necessitate the use of specialized scopes inserted percutaneously into the skin that transforms the surgery into an outpatient procedure and results in a much shorter recovery time for the patient. Orthopedic and spine surgeons use the surgical instrument Kerrison Rongeur (KR) in 70% of ESS surgeries after some modification of making it long and narrow, but rendering it very fragile. Many endoscopic surgeons are forced to handle this instrument in a very awkward position that strains their hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders during the surgery causing the surgeons to develop musculoskeletal disorders.
To reduce the strain on spine surgeons, the study modified the KR further by developing axial handles that put the hands and wrist in their natural position during ESS. Several tests were performed on a simulation spine dummy using the classical and new ergonomic KR. Results showed that the ergonomic KR was able to reduce the strain on the operator’s hand and wrists by 40%. The modified KR is for patent application.
MyBESHIE for Patient Care and Health Workers’ Safety
Dr. Prospero C. Naval, Jr.
The myB.E.S.H.I.E. or My Bot Ensuring Safety and Health in Isolated Environments, is a UP Manila Surgical Innovation and Biotechnology Laboratory (SIBOL)-developed telepresence device. It is a remote-controlled robot that allows clear wireless video communication that could also work in areas with limited internet connectivity. It allows interactions between the potentially infectious patients and doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, or even relatives outside the danger zone; through a device that displays a life-sized face, independently standing, and requires no operation by the sick.
This serves essential functions in treating and assuring patients while also protecting health care workers who then do not need to be physically at bedside to provide care. The myB.E.S.H.I.E uses are in doing rounds on admitted patients, clinic supervision and referrals, reception and tracing, operating room, observation and coaching, and clinical teaching. Features of the prototype based on the feedback from pilot tests include clear and efficient video communication, seamless internet-independent wireless connection (within premises), remote controlled mobilization, and portability and modularity.
Sanipod Disinfection Cubicle
Engr. Eduardo R Magdaluyo, Jr and Dr. Edward Wang
There are problems with the existing technologies used to disinfect healthcare workers prior to doffing PPE. These include manual spraying of HCW that leads to viral exposure to other HCWs, spraying of disinfectants that results in flooding of contaminated fluid, and walk-through tents or cubicles that leads to contaminated cubicles.
The SaniPod is self-contained; hence, there is less chance of contaminating other HCWs. The self-disinfecting cubicle has mechanisms to decrease contamination through controlled release of disinfectants, automated disinfection process, and portable and intuitive user interface. There are evidences for safety, efficacy, and other parameters based on tests made on the prototype.
It can also be used in other situations and facilities such as during other health crises and pandemics and disasters where victims are in crowded evacuation centers. The second iteration is being worked on to incorporate some more improvements. Invention patent including other succeeding steps for compliance and regulatory mechanisms are pending. (Based on the abstracts in the souvenir program and oral presentations during the event)
Published in Healthscape Special COVID-19 Issue No. 20 (30 November 2020)
