Article

Saurav B, Toc H Institute of science and Technology Arakkunnam,Ernakulam, Kerala; Naveen M ,Toc H Institute of science and Technology Arakkunnam,Ernakulam, Kerala; Sachithananda Pai V G ,Toc H Institute of science and Technology Arakkunnam,Ernakulam, Kerala; Dr. Georgina Binoy Joseph ,Toc H Institute of science and Technology Arakkunnam,Ernakulam, Kerala

Malaria is a life threatening disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. As it poses a serious global health problem, the project proposes to develop a device to detect malaria parasite accurately with the hope of reducing death rate due to malaria. In this device, a digital microscope camera is used to obtain color images from giemsa stained blood films. Digital image processing techniques are applied to these images to detect malarial parasites. Processing of the image is done on a Raspberry pi platform. The aim of the project is to create a fully portable and automated device that can be used with minimum training to detect malarial infection with a high degree of accuracy. The proposed malaria diagnostic device will be helpful when lab technicians who are trained in microscopic analysis of blood samples are not available. It will also limit human error in the detection of the presence of parasites in the blood sample. Automated diagnostic techniques can also notably decrease the time needed for diagnosis of the disease. This device will result in early onset of treatment saving many lives.