These lollipops could ‘sweeten’ diagnostic testing for kids and adults alike
For anyone who has dreaded a throat swab or struggled to provide a saliva sample, a sweeter solution is on the horizon. A recent press release from the American Chemical Society (ACS) highlights a new study published in Analytical Chemistry that transforms a medical chore into a treat.
Meet "CandyCollect". Researchers, including Dr. Ashleigh Theberge and Sanitta Thongpang, have developed CandyCollect, a diagnostic device that looks and tastes like a lollipop. The device features a spoon-like stick with a spiral groove, coated in isomalt candy. As a patient enjoys the lollipop, saliva naturally flows into the groove, collecting a sample without the "gag reflex" of a swab or the mess of a tube.
The study compared CandyCollect against conventional at-home testing methods with 28 adult volunteers and displayed high accuracy and best-in-class patient-preferrence. By making testing less invasive and more enjoyable, this innovation could be a game-changer for kids and adults alike, potentially increasing participation in at-home health monitoring.