Finnish company develops ultra-rapid COVID detection technology

The DSA BreathPass™ device can give results in just 45 seconds

On 14 January, the Finnish medical device company Deep Sensing Algorithms Ltd (DSA) announced that it has completed the development of what it claims to be the world’s first ultra-rapid COVID detection technology. More importantly, it revealed that the DSA BreathPass™ device has officially received the EU medical CE marking, meaning that it meets all the requirements to enter the EU market.

How does it work?

According to DSA, the new COVID technology is the fastest portable and handheld COVID detector. To use it, one must simply breathe into the device. Nano-sensors then analyse the breath and send the results to the BreathPass Mobile Application after approximately 45 seconds. The next test subject can then use the device 2 minutes later. 

It is important to note that the DSA BreathPass™ can detect COVID in both asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic people. In a press release, DSA explains how this works, noting that the human defence mechanisms begin immediately after infection and the immune response’s metabolic byproducts appear in exhaled breath on the same day. Therefore, the device is especially suitable for the aforementioned groups.

 “Our novel DSA BreathPass™ solution can make a real difference in the fight against COVID-19. It is low cost, non-invasive, and highly scalable. We are driven to provide a disruptive COVID screening solution that helps individuals, families, and communities return to normal at work, school, and play,” explained the CEO of DSA, Pekka Rissanen.

While the product is the first of its kind to enter the EU commercial market, it is important to note that it can only be used by healthcare professionals and for rapid screenings of large crowds. What is more, it requires a reliable internet connection as the device sends the results to the BreathPass Mobile Application through a cloud-based service.