Test device bags top design award

Top honours in the 2003 Australian Design Awards have been scooped by local diagnostics company NDP.

The company's Australian Design Award of the Year winner is the Betachek G5, a diabetes blood glucose testing device that utilises smartcard technology to keep a running test result log in its internal memory. The device is the first in the world to utilise smart card memory, and does away with the previous need for a manual log book.

"Previously it was necessary to keep a laborious written log book for clinicians to analyse at the next consultation. Now the smart card means the diabetic can upload the results direct into a computer, or can simply take the card to be read by the doctor next time they visit," noted project manager Brandon Bransgrove.

The device only requires two microlitres of blood, compared to the 20 microlitres required by other systems on the market. Using the company's own glucoseoxidase peroxidase test, the meter can give a readout within five seconds.

"The other unique feature is that each batch of 50 test strips comes with its own memory card setting, which means we can calibrate every batch for ultimate accuracy," added Bransgrove.

The device, which will sell for approximately $80, is expected to rack up sales of over 100,000 worldwide in its first year. Countries already on NDP's list include Russia, the UK, Germany, Italy, Brazil and China.

National manager of the Australian Design Awards, Brandon Gien, described the G5 as being in the same company as the winged keel, the Cochlear implant and the Solar Sailor.

"This award stands us on the top shelf as far as [diagnostic product] design goes," agreed Bransgrove. "There are 10 million diabetics in Europe alone, and we intend to tap into that market with this product."

Ambri awarded

Meanwhile, Sydney-based biosensor specialist Ambri has scored a 2003 Software-Electronics Design gong for its SensiDx high-speed diagnostic system. Dennis Cooper, Ambri's VP of engineering, said the award was an exciting acknowledgment of Australia's design and innovation capability. Projected products for the diagnostic include a test for the pregnancy hormone hCG and for cardiac markers linked to heart attack.