ABOUT US
EPD TECHNOLOGIES (PTY) LTD
EPD Technologies Pty Ltd specializes in Electronic Pathogen Detection (EPD), a groundbreaking method for identifying pathogens in vivo. This technique is non-invasive, rapid, safe, and can be performed remotely, significantly enhancing the safety of healthcare and laboratory workers.
Key Features:
Non-invasive and Rapid: EPD can diagnose pathogens quickly and painlessly, providing results in a short time frame without the need for invasive procedures.
Remote Capability: This technology allows minimal contact with patients or animals, reducing the risk of infection spread and enhancing safety.
Electronic PCR Analogy: EPD functions similarly to traditional PCR blood tests but operates electronically, streamlining the diagnostic process.
Applications and Impact:
Veterinary Medicine: EPD has shown remarkable results in veterinary applications and is currently undergoing pilot studies to further validate its efficacy.
Human Medicine: Since 2010, observational evidence supports EPD's accuracy in diagnosing pathogens in human patients.
COVID-19 Response: EPD can play a critical role in widespread, cost-effective testing, crucial for managing pandemics by enabling rapid and accurate diagnostics.
Company Background:
Founded by Dr. Ilse Erasmus, Henning Els, and Jacques Steyn, EPD Technologies has spent the past decade developing and refining this technology to detect a variety of pathogens using specialized electronic equipment.
Research and Development:
Current Studies: The company is collaborating with the Veterinary School of the University of Pretoria to validate EPD's accuracy in veterinary practice.
Data and AI Integration: EPD Technologies employs advanced scientific methods, artificial intelligence, and cloud-based analysis to deliver diagnostic results in 10-15 minutes, ensuring swift and reliable outcomes.
Results and Future Plans:
Pilot Study Results: EPD has achieved an accuracy rate of 67%-98% in detecting bovine TB in cattle during pilot studies, demonstrating its potential in veterinary diagnostics.
Ongoing Development: The company continues to gather and analyze data to improve the accuracy of EPD and expand its applications to other pathogens and settings.
EPD Technologies aims to revolutionize pathogen detection, making healthcare more efficient and better prepared for future epidemics and pandemics. By providing rapid, non-invasive, and remote diagnostic capabilities, EPD has the potential to transform how pathogens are detected and managed in both human and veterinary medicine.
EPD HISTORY
EPD Technologies was formed in 2017. Our journey started in 2010 when our first experimental scan unit BT100 performed its first scan.
Soon after, more units were manufactured for clients by request, and the demand steadily grew, due to the continued positive feedback regarding the accuracy of and beneficial effect of our equipment on client health and wellbeing.
During this early period, we were calibrating and validating equipment performance, including verifying the accuracy of the results as much as possible against benchmark medical laboratory testing in conditions such as urinary infections, systemic infections, and following routine vaccinations.
During this period in our history, designing and coding the operating software took shape – so that clients could connect data stored by scan units with their personal computers for data display and analysis.
By 2016 we had already recorded more than 1000 human scans on our equipment. These scans were performed across all age and gender groups. By this time we knew that the majority of scan findings were corroborated by laboratory tests, that scans were painless and that we had received no reports of side effects in humans.
Therefore we had the confidence to take the next step and to subject our equipment to formal medical scientific research, to investigate the accuracy of our equipment.
In 2018 we started medical scientific research, to investigate the accuracy of our equipment, in diagnosing Mycobacterium Tuberculosis var Bovis and Brucella Abortus, in infected animals.
The animal scans required a paradigm shift regarding equipment and scan electrodes, which meant we had to go back to the drawing board to see what type and shape of scan unit and electrodes were needed to obtain optimal quality scan information.
When the Covid pandemic struck, the world changed in ways no one could anticipate. We performed 1500 scans over a period of 15 months.
2024 and beyond
Over the past 14 years, we have scanned humans, African Buffalo, Sable Antelope, domestic cattle, horses, and domestic cats.
We have been kicked at, bitten, covered in manure and dust, even had a computer spontaneously combust in the bush!
Our equipment kept working despite being trampled on,and being exposed to the most electronic unfriendly conditions imaginable.
We have met some amazing people along this journey, who we now consider friends, some have even become part of our team. Our journey continues, and we can’t wait to see what lies around the next corner and who may decide to journey with us.
TEAM EPD
Ilse Erasmus
Medical Professional
Henning Els
Electronic Engineer
Jacques Steyn
Environmental Specialist
