industry news
Subscribe Now

Results of Research on Identification of Covid-19 Viruses Utilizing Advantest’s nanoSCOUTER™ Fine Particle Measurement Instrument Published in Nature Communications

TOKYO, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Leading semiconductor test equipment supplier Advantest Corporation (TSE: 6857) has announced that the results of a clinical study on the identification of COVID-19 viruses using the company’s nanoSCOUTER™ fine particle measurement instrument were published in Nature Communications, a peer-reviewed scientific journal, on June 17th1. In the study, 100 saliva samples (50 negative for Covid-19 and 50 positive) were measured and analyzed within 5 minutes each. Sensitivity (the ability of the test to correctly identify positive samples) of 90% and specificity (the ability of the test to correctly identify negative samples) of 96% were achieved.

A research group of the Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research at Osaka University is studying virus testing methods using the AI-based particle identification system developed by Aipore Inc.and the nanoSCOUTER™. The method used in the just-published study identifies viral particles by passing them through a nanoscale hole, through which a microcurrent is passed, and applying AI machine-learning to the highly accurate current waveform thus obtained. The results of this research3 can be expected to facilitate immediate diagnoses in hospitals as well as viral screening for large gatherings. In addition, machine-learning can be applied to many types of viruses, enabling early detection of novel pathogens.

The nanoSCOUTER™ is a lightweight, desktop-sized fine particle measurement instrument that utilizes a precise nanopore (nanometer-scale pore) sensor module made with semiconductor manufacturing processes and Advantest’s proprietary microcurrent measurement technology. It measures the quantity and particle size of fine particles on the order of 100 nanometers, such as viruses, exosomes4, and liposomes5, with great speed and accuracy. In addition, when the nanoSCOUTER™ is used in conjunction with Aipore Inc.’s AI-based particle identification system, it is possible to quickly identify the type of particles detected. At the present time, the product is a scientific instrument, not an approved medical device.

Rapid and accurate testing methods, along with vaccines and therapeutic agents, are important measures for prevention of Covid-19 spread. Based on Advantest’s corporate mission of “enabling leading-edge technologies,” the company will strive to further develop this technology so that the nanoSCOUTER™ can contribute to solving these vital issues.

1 “Combining machine learning and nanopore construction creates an artificial intelligence nanopore for coronavirus detection,” Masateru Taniguchi, Shohei Minami, Chikako Ono, Rina Hamajima, Ayumi Morimura, Shigeto Hamaguchi, Yukihiro Akeda, Yuta Kanai, Takeshi Kobayashi, Wataru Kamitani, Yutaka Terada, Koichiro Suzuki, Nobuaki Hatori, Yoshiaki Yamagishi, Nobuei Washizu, Hiroyasu Takei, Osamu Sakamoto, Norihiko Naono, Kenji Tatematsu, Takashi Washio, Yoshiharu Matsuura, and Kazunori Tomono
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-24001-2

2 Aipore Inc. was established in 2018 as a result of the Japanese Cabinet Office’s national project “Impulsing Paradigm Change through Disruptive Technologies Program (ImPACT)”. Using Advantest’s nanoSCOUTER™, Aipore has developed a solution for AI analysis of measurement data of bioparticles such as viruses and bacteria.
https://aipore.com/

3 The Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) subsidized this research as a part of its Reiwa 2 virus infection prevention technology development project “Research on COVID-19 test methods using nanopore technology and machine learning.”

4 Exosomes: Nano-order particles secreted from cells that contain any of various biomolecules, such as proteins or nucleic acids. Exosomes hold promise as diagnostic tools in medicine.

5 Liposomes: Closed, spherical lipid bilayers, often used as vehicles for pharmaceuticals.

About Advantest Corporation

Advantest (TSE: 6857) is the leading manufacturer of automatic test and measurement equipment used in the design and production of semiconductors for applications including 5G communications, the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, smart medical devices and more. Its leading-edge systems and products are integrated into the most advanced semiconductor production lines in the world. The company also conducts R&D to address emerging testing challenges and applications, produces multi-vision metrology scanning electron microscopes essential to photomask manufacturing, and offers groundbreaking 3D imaging and analysis tools. Founded in Tokyo in 1954, Advantest is a global company with facilities around the world and an international commitment to sustainable practices and social responsibility. More information is available at www.advantest.com.

Leave a Reply

featured blogs
Mar 28, 2024
The difference between Olympic glory and missing out on the podium is often measured in mere fractions of a second, highlighting the pivotal role of timing in sports. But what's the chronometric secret to those photo finishes and record-breaking feats? In this comprehens...
Mar 26, 2024
Learn how GPU acceleration impacts digital chip design implementation, expanding beyond chip simulation to fulfill compute demands of the RTL-to-GDSII process.The post Can GPUs Accelerate Digital Design Implementation? appeared first on Chip Design....
Mar 21, 2024
The awesome thing about these machines is that you are limited only by your imagination, and I've got a GREAT imagination....

featured video

We are Altera. We are for the innovators.

Sponsored by Intel

Today we embark on an exciting journey as we transition to Altera, an Intel Company. In a world of endless opportunities and challenges, we are here to provide the flexibility needed by our ecosystem of customers and partners to pioneer and accelerate innovation. As we leap into the future, we are committed to providing easy-to-design and deploy leadership programmable solutions to innovators to unlock extraordinary possibilities for everyone on the planet.

To learn more about Altera visit: http://intel.com/altera

featured chalk talk

Telematics, Connectivity & Infotainment Integration Made Easy
Today’s automotive designs must contend with a variety of challenges including scalability, security, software integration and the increased use of different radio technologies. In this episode of Chalk Talk, Fredrik Lonegard from u-blox, Patrick Stilwell from NXP and Amelia Dalton explore how the use of modules can help address a variety of automotive design challenges and the benefits that ublox’s JODY-W3 host-based modules can bring to your next automotive application.
Apr 4, 2023
40,900 views