Therapeutic Nano-Optic Endoscope for Detection and Treatment of COVID-19
Due to the global pandemic caused by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), there is a paramount need to treat symptoms, find cures, and reduce/contain the virus’s continuous spread. The most life-threatening symptoms of COVID‑19 result in severe respiratory failure due to pneumonia complications. While antiviral treatments and vaccines are under development globally, patients in critical condition cannot wait. It usually takes one to two years to develop vaccines, and cases continue to present with severe complications requiring immediate, life-saving intervention in the meantime. Thus, this research proposes to develop a therapeutic endoscopic imaging and treatment device and distribute the resultant nano-optic endoscope to treat the severe respiratory failure associated with COVID-19, to supply hospitals with a device to save lives while awaiting the medical community’s vaccine.
Genoptic will be commercializing the results of this research and Harvard University will be the academic collaborator.
