Our medical consultant answers your TB related questions

Why is TB screening important, especially as a lab test is still required?

Why is the RBS screening device better than other TB screening tests?

How much training is involved to be able to collect a sample and to use the optical reader?

What about if the patient can't cough a sample - what can we do?

The population groups at greater risk from TB are the young and elderly - is this true and are there any special conditions we need to be aware of when handling the RBS product with these groups?

How do we safely dispose of the sample collection tubes?

How often can we use the reader, and can we use it to screen for other infectious diseases?

The number of times the reader can be used is governed only by the available power supply. A battery currently provides this, but an adaptor for variable voltage mains use and a solar collector for recharging, are available. It is however, a recommendation that the content of the readers' memory be down loaded regularly into a computer as a method of safety back up of collected information.

While the current model is adapted and intended solely for use with TB, a very wide range of other diseases and organisms are currently being investigated with a view to providing a similar strategy for detection and diagnosis, in a variety of fields.

How many readers will we need to screen a group of several hundred people - is there an optimal number of readers required for certain population groups i.e is the screening speed subject to the population group type?

Using this test, how long will it take to get a result, and how accurate will this result be?

Is the RBS test cost effective when compared with what is currently available, and thus attractive to potential purchasers?