Guwahati: IIT Guwahati researchers have developed a 3D-printed cost-effective device for rapid diagnosis of urinary tract infections.

The device can measure and identify the type of bacteria in a UTI-suspected patient in 5 minutes compared to the conventional detection, which uses urine culture that requires a few days. 

The prototype device is cost-effective and will be useful for rural areas where most UTI cases remain undetected due to lack of adequate testing facilities.  

The developed prototype is generic, and hence, the process is tunable to identify different types of bacteria.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary system. The urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra.

Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than men. If an infection is limited to the bladder, it can be painful and annoying. But serious health problems can result if a UTI spreads to the kidneys.

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