Engineering a next‑generation point‑of‑care diagnostic platform
Services
- Design engineering
- Ergonomic design
- Project management
- Custom solutions
- Performance testing
- Rapid prototyping
- Aesthetic refinement
- 3D modelling
Sector
- medical
Client
Osler Diagnostics is an Oxford University spin-out on a mission to enable anyone, anywhere, to access, understand, and act on their health, to live healthier, happier, and longer lives. They were developing a compact diagnostic platform designed to deliver laboratory‑quality testing in near‑patient environments, the Osler Origin. By bringing sophisticated diagnostic capability closer to clinicians and patients, the system aims to reduce delays associated with central laboratory workflows, and give patients timely access to their results.
The Origin platform integrates microfluidics, reagent cartridges and automated assay processing within a compact, bench-top instrument architecture. This presents a user experience that integrates seamlessly into the healthcare environment and delivers powerful diagnostic capability.
Developing a point‑of‑care diagnostic system requires combining multiple complex technologies within a small and reliable device. Fluid handling, assay control, detection systems and user workflows must operate seamlessly while meeting stringent performance and regulatory expectations.
The system also needed to support a growing portfolio of diagnostic assays.
Turning a high-potential concept into an integrated platform
Osler Diagnostics was developing an ambitious point-of-care diagnostics platform designed to deliver laboratory-quality results in a compact instrument form-factor. Achieving this required integrating complex biological, fluidic and electronic systems into a robust, reliable product architecture that fit on a bench.
The platform needed to support multiple diagnostic assays, meaning the system design had to accommodate different reagent workflows and analytical processes while maintaining consistent performance. Reliability, manufacturability and usability were key constraints from the outset. The platform needed to operate reliably in clinical environments while remaining scalable for future production.
At the same time, working prototypes were required to demonstrate the feasibility of the platform and support ongoing discussions with investors and strategic partners during a period of rapid company growth.
OPD worked with the Osler Diagnostics team to support the engineering development of the platform. Our focus was on translating the scientific principles into a practical product architecture capable of supporting automated assays.
Through iterative prototyping and structured engineering development, we helped mature the system architecture while maintaining flexibility for future assay expansion.
Embedded Engineering Partner
We worked as an embedded engineering partner within the Osler team, contributing expertise across microfluidics, mechanical engineering and system integration to help translate the underlying science into a working platform.
Development focused on creating a configurable lab-on-chip architecture capable of supporting multiple assays through a combination of microfluidic cartridges and automated instrument workflows.
Our mechanical engineering efforts addressed actuation systems, fluid handling integration and overall instrument architecture, ensuring the different subsystems could operate reliably together.
To support iterative development, we designed and built dedicated rigs for leak testing, quality control and assembly verification. These tools allowed prototypes to be evaluated systematically and helped identify potential reliability issues early.
Throughout the collaboration, knowledge transfer into Osler’s growing in-house team was an important part of the programme, helping build internal capability as the company expanded and equipping them for a successful future.
The collaboration contributed to the development of a scalable diagnostic platform capable of supporting multiple assays within a compact instrument. The work helped advance the system towards robust clinical deployment, and supported the founders’ fundraising efforts during a period of intense investment and growth.
We worked closely with the Osler team as an embedded engineering partner, helping translate a powerful scientific concept into a practical diagnostic platform. By developing and testing key subsystems in parallel, we were able to build confidence in the architecture early while supporting rapid iteration as the platform evolved.
Scientific Innovation with Structured Product Engineering
Our work contributed to the development of a functioning diagnostic platform capable of supporting ongoing assay development and system refinement.
OPD delivered prototype systems that provided a practical development environment for testing assay workflows and improving system performance.
The engineering processes and test methodologies established during the programme helped strengthen the company’s internal development capability.
The collaboration between Osler and OPD demonstrated the value of combining scientific innovation with structured product engineering to accelerate progress in early-stage diagnostics companies.