A new device has been developed for the faster detection and treatment of blood conditions such as anaemia.

Developed by medical technology company Entia, Aptus is the world’s first handheld portable device capable of rapidly calculating haematocrit and haemoglobin levels from a finger prick to quickly diagnose anaemia in patients.

The device aims to make anaemia simple to diagnose and quick to treat regardless of their access to healthcare.

Aptus has been supported by medical device design group ITL Group, who manufactured the device at its UK base in Ashford. The device has already been adopted for projects around the world and Enita anticipates an increase in demand and therefore production.

Tom Cole, CEO ITL Group, said: “It was great to celebrate with Entia this latest stage in the development of their new product, which we’ve been delighted to be able to support in a number of ways.”

"Aptus is a great example of the kind of product that health professionals now demand; using the latest technology to deliver devices that are portable, intuitive and easy to use. It’s all about delivering better care for patients and this product is a perfect example of what the future holds.”

“At ITL, at any one time we will have up to 30 products in manufacturing with volumes from a handful a year to thousands a month – and it is that experience that ensures we’ve stayed at the top of our game in this sector for over 40 years.

“The sheer variety of the projects we work on in a variety of industries from MedTech to aerospace puts the onus on us to have a team with the skills to deliver and I’m always proud of what our engineers and the wider team achieve for our clients.”

Dr Toby Basey-Fisher, CEO Entia, said: “ITL is at the forefront of specialist medical device manufacturing. Their understanding, flexibility and support for early-stage companies has also made them exceptional partners to support our own growth. We look forward to continuing our work with ITL to accelerate the global impact of our products."