ThEA Direct Swab v1

RAM Group has developed ThEA™ - an optical, reagent free / chemical free detection system for rapid diagnosis for SARS-Cov-2. The system consists of a THz spectrometer, a low-cost disposable sensor cartridge and a set of classification algorithms. ThEA’s < 60s detection time allows rapid screening at the point of sample collection or quick-turnaround batch processing from a central location. The primary goal of the current study is to clinically validate the ThEA classification algorithm. This can be accomplished by testing several patient samples at the point of collection in a controlled environment. The key learning outcomes of this study will be determining how well the ThEA classification algorithm is able to identify SARS-Cov-2 features from the THz data collected from patient. The classification accuracy will in turn be evaluated by cross checking versus PCR control tests done by the institution for the same patient cohort. The test includes taking an oropharyngeal swab from the patient and directly smearing it on the sensor surface followed by reading out the THz response in a THz time domain spectrometer. ThEA analysis software with classification algorithm will then be able to classify whether the sample is infectious with Sars-Cov-2 virus or not.