HOUSTON : Scientists have developed a hand-held monitor that can potentially detect the flu virus simply with a breath of the patient.
The device, developed by researchers at The University of Texas at Arlington in the US, is similar to the breathalysers used by police officers when they suspect a driver of being under the influence of alcohol.
A patient simply exhales into the device, which uses semiconductor sensors like those in a household carbon monoxide detector.
The difference is that these sensors are specific to the gas detected, yet still inexpensive, and can isolate biomarkers associated with the flu virus and indicate whether or not the patient has the flu.
The device could eventually be available in drugstores so that people can be diagnosed earlier and take advantage of medicine used to treat the flu in its earliest stages.
This device may help prevent flu epidemics from spreading, protecting both individuals as well as the public health.
Researchers relied on existing medical literature to determine the quantities of known biomarkers present in a person’s breath when afflicted with a particular disease, then applied that knowledge to find a combination of sensors for those biomarkers that is accurate for detecting the flu.
For instance, people who suffer from asthma have increased nitric oxide concentration in their breath, and acetone is a known biomarker for diabetes and metabolic processes.
When combined with a nitric oxide and an ammonia sensor, Gouma found that the breath monitor may detect the flu virus, possibly as well as tests done in a doctor’s office.
“I think that technology like this is going to revolutionise personalised diagnostics,” said by Perena Gouma, professor at UTA.
“This will allow people to be proactive and catch illnesses early, and the technology can easily be used to detect other diseases, such as Ebola virus disease, simply by changing the sensors,” she said.
“Before we applied nanotechnology to create this device, the only way to detect biomarkers in a person’s breath was through very expensive, highly-technical equipment in a lab, operated by skilled personnel,” Gouma said.
“Now, this technology could be used by ordinary people to quickly and accurately diagnose illness,” she said.
“Gouma’s development of a portable, single-exhale device that can be used to detect diseases has implications far beyond the laboratory,” said Stathis Meletis, from UTA.
“This shows the impact of nanotechnology on our everyday lives, and has potential for applications related to security and other important areas as well,” Meletis said.
The study was published in the journal Sensors. (AGENCIES)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
