• Popular
    • Medicine
    • Radiology
    • Cardiology
    • Surgery
    • Nanomedicine
    • Military Medicine
    • Rehab
  • Categories
    • Exclusive
    • A-D
      • Anesthesiology
      • Art
      • Cardiac Surgery
      • Cardiology
      • Critical Care
      • Dentistry
      • Dermatology
      • Diagnostics
    • E-I
      • Emergency Medicine
      • ENT
      • Genetics
      • Geriatrics
      • GI
      • Informatics
    • M-N
      • Medicine
      • Military Medicine
      • Nanomedicine
      • Net News
      • Neurology
      • Neurosurgery
      • Nuclear Medicine
    • O-P
      • Ob/Gyn
      • Oncology
      • Ophthalmology
      • Orthopedic Surgery
      • Pathology
      • Pediatrics
      • Plastic Surgery
      • Psychiatry
      • Public Health
    • R-V
      • Radiation Oncology
      • Radiology
      • Rehab
      • Reproductive Medicine
      • Space Medicine
      • Sports Medicine
      • Surgery
      • Thoracic Surgery
      • Urology
      • Vascular Surgery
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • Submit PR
  • About
  • Follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    • Youtube
    • Instagram
    • RSS
  • Submit PR
  • Log in
Medgadget
Medgadget
  • Popular
    • Medicine
      Magnetic Dressing Improves Diabetic Wound Healing

      Magnetic Dressing Improves Diabetic Wound Healing

      Eko’s Newest CORE 500 Stethoscope: A Review

      Eko’s Newest CORE 500 Stethoscope: A Review

      Microfluidic System Incorporates Eight Organ Tissues for Drug Testing

      Microfluidic System Incorporates Eight Organ Tissues for Drug Testing

      Suction Cup Delivers Drugs Through Cheek

      Suction Cup Delivers Drugs Through Cheek

    • Radiology
      Shear-Thinning Biomaterial for Embolic Applications: Interview with Upma Sharma, President and CEO of Arsenal Medical

      Shear-Thinning Biomaterial for Embolic Applications: Interview with Upma Sharma, President and CEO of Arsenal Medical

      Ultrasound-Equipped Bra Monitors for Breast Cancer

      Ultrasound-Equipped Bra Monitors for Breast Cancer

      Portable and Radiation-Free Imaging with Magnetic Nanoparticles

      Portable and Radiation-Free Imaging with Magnetic Nanoparticles

      Imaging Technique Reveals Living Brain Tissue in its Complexity

      Imaging Technique Reveals Living Brain Tissue in its Complexity

    • Cardiology
      Eko’s Newest CORE 500 Stethoscope: A Review

      Eko’s Newest CORE 500 Stethoscope: A Review

      Shear-Thinning Biomaterial for Embolic Applications: Interview with Upma Sharma, President and CEO of Arsenal Medical

      Shear-Thinning Biomaterial for Embolic Applications: Interview with Upma Sharma, President and CEO of Arsenal Medical

      Ultrasound-Equipped Bra Monitors for Breast Cancer

      Ultrasound-Equipped Bra Monitors for Breast Cancer

      3D Printed Heart Muscle Beats

      3D Printed Heart Muscle Beats

    • Surgery
      Magnetic Dressing Improves Diabetic Wound Healing

      Magnetic Dressing Improves Diabetic Wound Healing

      Sensor Monitors Transplanted Organs for Signs of Rejection

      Sensor Monitors Transplanted Organs for Signs of Rejection

      Refillable Device for Drug Delivery Past the Blood-Brain Barrier: Interview with Mike Maglin, CEO at CraniUS

      Refillable Device for Drug Delivery Past the Blood-Brain Barrier: Interview with Mike Maglin, CEO at CraniUS

      Droplet Battery Harnesses Ionic Gradients for Bioelectronic Implants

      Droplet Battery Harnesses Ionic Gradients for Bioelectronic Implants

    • Nanomedicine
      Nanorobots Release Reactive Oxygen Species to Kill Fungal Biofilms

      Nanorobots Release Reactive Oxygen Species to Kill Fungal Biofilms

      Bottlebrush Nanoparticles Deliver Immunostimulatory Drugs

      Bottlebrush Nanoparticles Deliver Immunostimulatory Drugs

      Nanoparticles Deliver mRNA Therapy to the Lungs

      Nanoparticles Deliver mRNA Therapy to the Lungs

      Nanoparticles Get Lymphatic Vessels Pumping

      Nanoparticles Get Lymphatic Vessels Pumping

    • Military Medicine
      Wearable Can Take Multiple Sweat Samples

      Wearable Can Take Multiple Sweat Samples

      Wound Dressing Detects Infection, Changes Color

      Wound Dressing Detects Infection, Changes Color

      Device Measures Hemoglobin More Accurately in Dark Skin

      Device Measures Hemoglobin More Accurately in Dark Skin

      Fingertip Sensor Measures Lithium Levels in Sweat

      Fingertip Sensor Measures Lithium Levels in Sweat

    • Rehab
      Stretchable E-Skin for Robotic Prostheses

      Stretchable E-Skin for Robotic Prostheses

      Glasses Provide Audible Prompts for Blind Wearers

      Glasses Provide Audible Prompts for Blind Wearers

      A Wearable to Manage Parkinson’s Motor Symptoms: Interview with Lucy Jung, CEO at Charco Neurotech

      A Wearable to Manage Parkinson’s Motor Symptoms: Interview with Lucy Jung, CEO at Charco Neurotech

      Robotic Ankle Helps with Postural Control in Amputees

      Robotic Ankle Helps with Postural Control in Amputees

  • Categories
    • Exclusive
    • A-D
      • Anesthesiology
      • Art
      • Cardiac Surgery
      • Cardiology
      • Critical Care
      • Dentistry
      • Dermatology
      • Diagnostics
    • E-I
      • Emergency Medicine
      • ENT
      • Genetics
      • Geriatrics
      • GI
      • Informatics
    • M-N
      • Medicine
      • Military Medicine
      • Nanomedicine
      • Net News
      • Neurology
      • Neurosurgery
      • Nuclear Medicine
    • O-P
      • Ob/Gyn
      • Oncology
      • Ophthalmology
      • Orthopedic Surgery
      • Pathology
      • Pediatrics
      • Plastic Surgery
      • Psychiatry
      • Public Health
    • R-V
      • Radiation Oncology
      • Radiology
      • Rehab
      • Reproductive Medicine
      • Space Medicine
      • Sports Medicine
      • Surgery
      • Thoracic Surgery
      • Urology
      • Vascular Surgery
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • Submit PR
  • About
  • Log in
  • Submit PR
  • Follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    • Youtube
    • Instagram
    • RSS

Expanding the Range of Low-Cost Molecular Diagnostics: Interview with Gregory Mouchka, Product Manager, Engineering & Applications, Rheonix Inc.

February 1st, 2013 Ravi Parikh Diagnostics, Exclusive

Here at Medgadget we’ve covered dozens of molecular and genetic diagnostics that utilize novel screening tools to identify disease. However, integrating these tools into the clinic is difficult: according to recent research by UnitedHealth, 77 percent of physicians say that the largest barrier to conducting genetic testing is the cost of tests for patients. Innovations cannot succeed on a large-scale unless they are affordable for patients. Thus, the push to develop lower-cost tests is more important than ever.

Rheonix-logoEnter Rheonix, Inc., a maker of molecular diagnostic equipment based in Ithaca, N.Y. Rheonix has developed the Encompass platform, a highly customizable technology that has made a point to balance versatility of tests with affordability. The platform performs fully automated, complex molecular assays on the Rheonix CARD cartridge. EncompassMDx offers automated sample preparation designed to isolate DNA and RNA from a variety of samples, including fresh tissue, formaldehyde fixed-paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue, whole blood, serum, saliva, swabs and urine. EncompassMDx processes sample volumes from 5 µl to 5 ml, and tissue mass up to 20 mg for integrated nucleic acid testing. In terms of applications, Rheonix envisions its CARD cartridge as applicable in many settings, including the IVD lab, the pathology lab and at the point of care. The company also has product development programs for infectious diseases, pharmacogenomics and environmental applications. We had a chance to speak with Gregory Mouchka, Product Manager of Engineering & Applications at Rheonix Inc.

Rheonix

EncompassMDx technology

Ravi Parikh, MedGadget: How did Rheonix get into the field of molecular diagnostics? How has the vision of the company evolved?

Gregory Mouchka, Rheonix Inc.: Rheonix began as an internal project at a semiconductor company, Kionix Inc., in Ithaca, NY, developing novel microfluidic systems out of silicon in Kionix’s fabrication facilities. It soon became apparent that producing fluidic devices out of silicon is prohibitively expensive, so we decided to develop devices in polystyrene. Once we mastered our proprietary lamination method and active fluidic pumping technique, we were able to run molecular biological assays. From there the next logical step was to look to the clinic and molecular diagnostics. Rheonix now manufactures the EncompassMDx diagnostic instrument that performs fully automated, complex molecular assays on samples using the Rheonix CARD Cartridge.

 

Medgadget: What can you tell us about the current state of low-cost genetic tests? What is lacking?

Mouchka: The current genetic testing landscape is somewhat fractured. Some tests, such as prenatal screening panels, have seen wide adoption due to a large market, established reimbursement rates and physician education. Other tests, such as warfarin sensitivity testing, have been slow to adopt. This is due to a chicken-and-egg syndrome; there is a high cost of adoption because of low market demand based on lack of requests from ordering physicians or reimbursement guidance. Tests from specimens that are difficult to work with, especially Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) tissue, are so labor-intensive that they are not widely offered and have high costs associated with them.

 

Medgadget: And how do innovations like the EncompassMDx and accompanying CARD consumable improve upon those deficiencies?

Mouchka: Rheonix has developed the EncompassMDx instrument and the CARD consumables with these deficiencies in mind. Together they make up a platform that enables a laboratorian to automatically process samples at a cost that encourages them to bring more tests in-house rather than sending them out. Automation is a powerful tool for the laboratory: It removes repetitive tasks from technicians, and allows technicians of various tenures and skill levels to operate the equipment and obtain the same quality result. Our technology can handle a wide range of sample types, including the difficult-to-process FFPE tissue. We intend for our instrument to be a one-stop shop for running a variety of tests, with a variety of samples. The EncompassMDx can automatically run batches of up to 24 samples through cell lysis, nucleic acid purification, multiplexed PCR amplification, and endpoint target detection. Turnaround time is approximately three hours; about 2.5 hours of that time is uninterrupted walkaway time for the lab technician. All assay operations take place on Rheonix’s single-use consumables, reducing contamination and cleanup time. Our low cost of ownership and operation allows labs to continue running automated tests even in the world of shrinking budgets and reimbursements.

 

Medgadget: How do you envision these low-cost molecular diagnostics being applied in clinical settings? Are your products being used in the clinic now?

Mouchka: The Rheonix CARD Cartridge is constructed from laminated layers of plastic—all the fluidic valves and pumps are produced as a consequence of that lamination process. Because there are no electronics, precious metals, external sealing or pumping parts, the cost of our cartridge is very low. The low costs allow us to pass savings along to clinicians and penetrate markets where sample-to-result testing has not been available before. Though our products are not yet available for use in clinical settings, other first-generation sample-to-result molecular systems have placed instruments in clinical labs. Rheonix hopes to improve upon the existing systems by offering superior target multiplexing, cost and workflow to laboratorians.

 

Medgadget: What about the possibility of patient-centered use? Do we need skilled technicians to perform these interventions?

Mouchka: The technology naturally lends itself well to applications where ease of use is important. However, automated molecular devices are generally classified as “moderately complex,” requiring that doctors order tests and certified labs run them. Patient-centered use, or point-of-care testing, is a highly regulated market and rightly so, because the health and welfare of patients can depend on the results of the test.

 

Medgadget: Tell us about future directions of these technologies. What improvements do you envision?

Mouchka: In the near term, the direction should be wider adoption and menu expansion. We believe our scalable technology can be utilized in small community clinics, all the way up through large regional reference labs. The configurable nature of the consumable and instrument also means that as new tests are developed and deemed clinically useful, they can be easily ported over to the EncompassMDx platform.

 

Medgadget: Is there anything coming up in the Rheonix pipeline that we should keep our eyes open for?

Mouchka: We will have some exciting partnerships to announce in the coming year as we continue to make molecular diagnostics available to more people, in more places, more often.

 

Medgadget: Anything else you would like to mention?

Mouchka: Interested customers can learn more about various purchase and lease options of Research Use Only equipment by contacting Rheonix at 607-257-1242 or visiting www.rheonix.com.

divider

This innovation from Rheonix hopefully foreshadows a trend of affordability in molecular diagnostics. We look forward to more exciting and affordable diagnostics in the future!

Rheonix website…

Encompass Platform…

Poster presentation at AACC Oak Ridge Conference 2012: Evaluation of a Microfluidic System for Performance of Fully Automated Companion Diagnostics for Personalized Medicine (PDF)

Ravi Parikh

Ravi is a student at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He also co-chairs the Crimson Care Collaborative, a Harvard network of student-run clinics that serves patients who have limited access to primary care. His opinion pieces have been published in the Huffington Post, Philadelphia Inquirer, Boston Herald and Tampa Bay Times. He enjoys basketball, going home to Florida, and spending time with his now-fiancé.

Sponsored
Ark Surgical Performs First Hysterectomies in the USA with its FDA-Cleared LapBox for Manual Morcellation

Ark Surgical Performs First Hysterectomies in the USA with its FDA-Cleared LapBox for Manual Morcellation

PACKAGING COMPLIANCE LABS WELCOMES NEW CFO, BERNADETTE LEGARETTA

PACKAGING COMPLIANCE LABS WELCOMES JENN GOFF, VP SALES, MARKETING, AND INNOVATION

Clarius Debuts its First Dual-Array Wireless Handheld Scanner Enabling Whole-Body Views of Superficial to Deep Anatomy

Clarius Debuts its First Dual-Array Wireless Handheld Scanner Enabling Whole-Body Views of Superficial to Deep Anatomy

National Liver Health Awareness Month Highlights the Urgent Need for Liver Disease Prevention

National Liver Health Awareness Month Highlights the Urgent Need for Liver Disease Prevention

interviews & reviews
A Wearable to Manage Parkinson’s Motor Symptoms: Interview with Lucy Jung, CEO at Charco Neurotech

A Wearable to Manage Parkinson’s Motor Symptoms: Interview with Lucy Jung, CEO at Charco Neurotech

Eko’s Newest CORE 500 Stethoscope: A Review

Eko’s Newest CORE 500 Stethoscope: A Review

Shear-Thinning Biomaterial for Embolic Applications: Interview with Upma Sharma, President and CEO of Arsenal Medical

Shear-Thinning Biomaterial for Embolic Applications: Interview with Upma Sharma, President and CEO of Arsenal Medical

Refillable Device for Drug Delivery Past the Blood-Brain Barrier: Interview with Mike Maglin, CEO at CraniUS

Refillable Device for Drug Delivery Past the Blood-Brain Barrier: Interview with Mike Maglin, CEO at CraniUS

UV-Free Air Decontamination: Interview with Sorel Rothschild, VP at Quantum Innovations

UV-Free Air Decontamination: Interview with Sorel Rothschild, VP at Quantum Innovations

EarliPoint Evaluation System for ASD Diagnosis: Interview with Tom Ressemann, CEO of EarliTec Dx

EarliPoint Evaluation System for ASD Diagnosis: Interview with Tom Ressemann, CEO of EarliTec Dx

Visually Guided Uterine Biopsies in Physician’s Office: Interview with Allison London Brown, CEO of LUMINELLE

Visually Guided Uterine Biopsies in Physician’s Office: Interview with Allison London Brown, CEO of LUMINELLE

  • Subscribe
  • Contact us
  • Submit
  • About
  • Back to top
Medgadget

Medical technologies transform the world! Join us and see the progress in real time. At Medgadget, we report the latest technology news, interview leaders in the field, and file dispatches from medical events around the world since 2004.

  • About
  • Editorial policies
  • Contact
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy
  • Submit press release
  • Advertise
© Medgadget, Inc. All rights reserved. | The Medical Revolution Will Be Blogged.
Please support this website by adding us to your whitelist in your ad blocker. Ads are what helps us bring you premium content! Thank you!