Figure 1.

An expanded view of the challenges and approaches to effective design of affordable RDTs. (A) Three tier schematic diagram of the different critical levels in the design process with their associated barriers. Tier 1 captures all fundamental knowledge associated with diagnostics and healthcare, while Tier 2 is the enabling technologies that are then translated to Tier 3 here capturing the local health care system and associated socio-cultural structures. All three tiers make the overall system. (B) Systems engineering approach to design of low-cost RDTs with the capture capturing the underlying V-model but specifically focusing on value addition where “value” is dictated by each stakeholder but with the end-user definition carrying a higher weight. Attributes are derived from the stakeholders and the drivers of the design and fabrication (abbreviated “fab”) and cost. The existence of feedback loops during the design process allows for efficiency and appropriateness in the design, production and adoption of the product.