Enabling Smarter Point-of-Care Testing Devices with Custom ASICs

As demand grows for decentralized and efficient diagnostic tools, point-of-care testing (POCT) is playing an increasingly central role in healthcare delivery. While miniaturization has helped make these devices portable, custom ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) are also what enable their integration, security, and real-time performance. 

📖 Looking for more on miniaturization? Read our article here: 
From Lab Bench to Pocket: Miniaturization in POCT & IVD with ASICs 

POCT: Diagnostics at the Point of Need 

POCT devices are compact medical diagnostic tools designed to deliver results at or near the site of patient care — without the need for centralized laboratories. These systems support faster clinical decision-making, better access in remote environments, and are increasingly used in: 

• Home testing and chronic disease monitoring 

• Emergency response and ambulance diagnostics 

• Infectious disease screening 

• Resource-constrained clinical settings 
  
  

Common POCT applications include: 

• Blood glucose monitoring 

• COVID-19 and influenza testing 

• Cardiac biomarker assays 

• Hematology and coagulation monitoring 

• Drug and alcohol detection 

Integrating ASICs in POCT System Design 

ASICs offer a reliable and cost-effective path to integrate multiple functions within a small footprint — a critical requirement for POCT systems. 

Key benefits include: 

🔐 Embedded Data Security 

Custom ASICs allow implementation of: 

• On-chip encryption (e.g. AES/DES) 

• Secure memory 

• Built-in protections against data manipulation 

These features contribute to data integrity and compliance with privacy standards in healthcare. 

⚙️ Process Automation 

ASIC integration enables: 

• Built-in calibration and monitoring 

• Process automation to reduce manual handling 

• Improved usability for non-specialist operators 

This supports scalability and consistency across distributed testing environments. 

📍 Location-Aware Features 

With embedded NFC, GPS, or secure ID protocols, ASICs enable: 

• Geofencing for authorized usage 

• Usage tracking and inventory control 

• Location-stamped data collection 
  
  

🔌 System Interfacing 

Custom ASICs support connectivity with: 

• Smartphones and tablets 

• BLE or NFC communication 

• Cloud or local databases 

This facilitates real-time data logging and remote diagnostics. 

The HUGIN Platform: Accelerating POCT Development 

To help developers reduce time-to-market, Presto Engineering provides HUGIN, a silicon-proven reference design tailored for POCT applications. 

HUGIN includes: 

• NFC-based electrochemical sensing 

• Secure data logging architecture 

• Low-power design for battery-powered or passive operation 

• Modular sensor support (internal/external) 

📄 Download the HUGIN leaflet here.

The platform is customizable for various diagnostic and pharmaceutical use cases, offering development speed without compromising reliability. 

Supporting ASIC Projects from Design to Production 

At Presto Engineering, we work with medical device manufacturers to design and deliver ASICs that meet the performance, security, and reliability requirements of regulated healthcare markets. 

With in-house expertise in: 

• Analog, mixed-signal and sensor interface ASICs 

• ISO 13485-certified workflows 

• Custom packaging and test development 

• End-to-end supply chain support 
  

We support medical innovators from feasibility and prototyping through qualification and volume production. 

📩 Contact us to discuss how we can support your POCT development with tailored ASIC solutions.