DC150 Critique: BinaxNow COVID Self Test

Design Critique: Products for People

This is a solo episode in which I critique the design of Abbott's BinaxNow Covid-19 Antigen Self Test. This test is available in retail stores (in the USA a pack of two is, at this time, about $20). It tests for proteins one's body makes when fighting a Covid-19 infection, the symptoms of which not everyone experiences in the same way. The use of rapid antigen self tests could revolutionize public health for COVID and beyond. Imagine getting ready to visit someone you love whose health is compromised in some way that makes them more risky to something that is going around your area. A rapid self-test can put the mind at ease, especially for symptoms that allergies can mimic. Use of rapid self tests can protect coworkers, family, friends, etc., because if enough people use them during a time of an outbreak, those who may test positive for being infectious can self-isolate and prevent the spread while they contact their doctor to get help if needed.

The BinaxNow test is as easy to use as advertised. The only improvements needed in my experience are a lower price per unit and less daunting technical communication. Perhaps for regulatory reasons, the BinaxNow instructions have a LOT of text on a double sided poster. But the instructions worked for me in the first use, so criticizing the instructions might be unfair.

As promised in the episode, here are some excellent links about the advantages of cheap, easy to use rapid antigen self tests from the two experts discussed in the episode:

Dr. Michael Mina's radio interview about rapid self-tests: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1XTc29ZGtM

Dr. Mina's article from December 2020 about rapid self tests' ability to stop Covid-19 spread quickly: https://time.com/5912705/covid-19-stop-spread-christmas/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=editorial&utm_term=ideas_covid-19&linkId=104733190

Dr. Robert Epstein's Carrier Separation Plan to use rapid self tests to stop the spread of any pathogen in a population: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.640009/full

A good paper on the importance of testing frequency and fast results for reducing an infectious disease: https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/7/1/eabd5393?utm_campaign=SciMag&utm_source=JHubbard&utm_medium=Twitter

The development of a rapid saliva test is on the way: https://theshillongtimes.com/2021/05/21/new-rapid-antigen-test-can-detect-covid-in-saliva-accurately/

Another saliva test for Covid-19! https://www.pleasantonweekly.com/print/story/2021/05/14/livermore-company-develops-first-rapid-saliva-covid-19-test