Dr Stephen Sowerby, an affiliate of the Centre for International Health, has invented a new device for detecting small particles, like parasite eggs or pollen, in fluids.
Instead of using conventional McMaster slides for counting parasite eggs, the diagnostic tool utilises capillary rise and the properties of the meniscus to attract parasite eggs to a single place where they can be easily analysed and photographed.
The idea being that with faster, cheaper and more accurate identification of parasites, the drugs used to fight these pest organisms can be better targeted.
Dr Sowerby was today interviewed about the new device on Radio New Zealand National's Our Changing World programme.