Designing and prototyping of a smart non-invasive device for malaria detection

Abstract

Millions of people worldwide suffer from malaria, an infectious disease spread by mosquitoes. Early identification and treatment are crucial to stop its spread and reduce mortality. Traditional diagnostic techniques, such as blood smear microscopy, are labor-intensive and require specialized staff. Recently, there has been increased interest in developing point-of-care diagnostic assays for malaria suitable for resource-limited settings. This thesis aimed to develop a non-invasive tool using the MAX30102 sensor for malaria detection. Traditional diagnostic methods often require invasive blood draws and laboratory facilities, making them impractical in remote areas. The proposed device, using infrared sensor technology, offered a simple, noninvasive method for malaria detection by measuring the absorption of red and infrared light by hemoglobin, which is altered when infected by the malaria parasite. The device employed the MAX30102 sensor to measure light absorption variations, which were then processed by a NodeMCU microcontroller to detect potential malaria indicators. The results demonstrated significant differences in light absorption between infected and non-infected samples, correlating well with traditional diagnostic methods. This portable, easy-to-use device successfully provided a reliable and rapid diagnostic alternative. When malaria was detected, the device displayed "Malaria Detected" and illuminated a red light. If no malaria was detected, it displayed "No Malaria Detected" and illuminated a green light.