Grant: Idea to Innovation

DigiSperm is a rapid, point-of-care, low-cost device that uses paper-based microfluidic technology to quantify male fertility potential. The device simultaneously measures three critical semen parameters for male fertility diagnosis in 10 min: live sperm concentration, motile sperm concentration, and motility. In preliminary side-by-side clinical testing, DigiSperm provided identical outcomes to the current clinical gold-standard, computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) - an expensive lab technique to which few have access. In contrast, DigiSperm provides direct visual readout with straightforward and quantitative analysis of semen parameters, allowing direct imaging with a smartphone app for instantaneous analysis, readout, tracking and communication of the health result. Our medical collaborators refer to this technology as a 'fitbit for sperm', referring to the popular mobile health monitoring app. Technical improvements and proof-of-concept validation testing are required, however, to adapt this device for widespread commercial mobile health diagnosis. The targeted research and proof-of-concept testing proposed here are essential to engaging investors, in keeping with the I2I Phase I program._x000D_ _x000D_ The proposed project has three specific objectives: i) develop a robust user-friendly fluid delivery interface; ii) optimize the device for smartphone/mobile health diagnosis; iii) perform necessary clinical validation and testing essential to engage early-stage investment._x000D_ _x000D_ The project benefits from a strong network of support and collaborations including Dr. Keith Jarvi (Head of Urology at Mount Sinai Hospital), the Hannam Fertility Centre, MaRS Innovation, the Kangaroo Group (Productization consultants), and the makers of ClearBlue (the worldwide standard in female fertility tests), in addition to cash support for addition patenting costs from the U of T._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_