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The TracieX ventilator from Silver Factory Technology and the BreFence Go Covid-19 device from Breathonix are the world's first breath-monitoring devices for identifying Covid-19 infections, licensed for use by the Health Sciences Authority of Singapore (HSA).
Specifically, the TracieX device uses a sensor chip to identify molecules of organic compounds in the breath of Covid-19 patients using mass spectrometry, with a sensitivity (probability of producing a positive result) of 95% and a specificity (probability of producing a negative result) of 97.8%.
A person being tested blows into the TracieX machine for testing - Photo: The Strait Times
In less than two minutes, the machine will give the result of whether or not the participant is infected with Covid-19 - Photo: The Strait Times
For the BreFence Go Covid-19 device, the person being tested will also breathe into a mouthpiece to deliver their breath into a breath sampler. The collected air will be fed into a spectrophotometer and analyzed using Breathonix's algorithm, which has a sensitivity of 85.3% and a specificity of 97%. This algorithm will return test results in less than a minute. Those who test positive will be tested again using a PCR antibody test to confirm Covid-19 infection.
Details of the BreFence Go Covid-19 breath test device from Breathonix - Photo: Internet
A person being tested blows into a BreFence machine to check for Covid-19 through their breath - Photo: Internet
Disposable breathing tubes are designed for single use only and feature infection control, ensuring safety and minimizing the risk of infection, thus preventing direct contact of these materials with people.
Previously, Singapore conducted trials of the TracieX ventilator at Changi Airport, the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), and several hospitals in Malaysia. Volunteers participating in the study underwent two tests: a regular test and a test using the ventilator. The two results were then compared to see if they matched. During the trial phases, the analysts were unaware of the participants' COVID-19 results, ensuring complete impartiality.
On June 4th, the Vietnamese Ministry of Health announced the receipt of 30 BreFence Go Covid-19 testing machines and consumables for 2 million test samples, with a total value of over 460 billion VND. This is the result of negotiations between Vingroup and Breathonix to bring this equipment to Vietnam from June to the end of August 2021.
The Minister of Health receives 30 breath-based COVID-19 testing machines - Photo: Ministry of Health
