Diagnostic Breathalyzer Identifies 17 Various Diseases from a Single Exhalation
A groundbreaking device, known as the "Na-Nose," has been developed by Hossam Haick at the Technion Institute of Technology in Israel. This breathalyzer is capable of diagnosing 17 different diseases, including two types of Parkinson's disease, Crohn's, multiple sclerosis, kidney disease, and various cancers such as lung, colorectal, prostate, and ovarian.
The Na-Nose device operates on the principles of electronic nose (E-nose) technology, which analyses breath samples to identify diseases. E-noses use sensor arrays to detect subtle changes in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in breath, which can vary depending on the metabolic state of the body and be affected by different diseases. These VOCs create a unique "breath signature" for each condition.
The device then employs advanced machine learning algorithms to analyse the sensor data and identify patterns associated with specific diseases. For instance, in the case of lung cancer, metal oxide semiconductor sensors are used, and techniques like artificial neural networks (ANNs) and machine learning models such as XGBoost are employed to differentiate between cancerous and non-cancerous breath samples.
While the specific details about the Na-Nose's technology and methodology for diagnosing 17 diseases are not yet fully disclosed, the principles of E-nose technology suggest a similar approach could be used to identify various conditions based on unique breath signatures.
However, it's important to note that challenges remain in achieving high accuracy across diverse patient populations and ensuring the devices are reliable and easy to use outside clinical settings. Further research is needed to validate these technologies and expand their capabilities.
The Na-Nose device is a significant step forward in Point of Care (POC) testing, which allows individuals to obtain clinical results by means of patient self-management or patient self-testing. POC testing offers numerous benefits, including the ability to test on demand and immediate results, allowing for rapid treatment of illnesses. By detecting the disease at an early stage, it increases the survival rate tenfold.
The testing of 1,404 subjects diagnosed with one of the 17 different diseases, including a handful of healthy control subjects, showed that each disease has its own individual breath-print. The Na-Nose device uses molecularly modified gold nanoparticles and a random network of single-wall carbon nanotubes as the sensor. The gold nanoparticles provide the electrical conductivity, while the carbon nanotubes increase or decrease their interparticle distance depending on the VOCs or markers.
Intriguingly, the concept of diagnosing diseases through scent is not entirely new. A 2004 study in the British Medical Journal found that dogs could detect bladder cancer by sniffing human urine with an accuracy of 86 percent. The Na-Nose device imitates the olfactory system of the canine, which has been known to detect early stages of cancers in humans.
As research continues, the Na-Nose device and similar technologies hold great promise for revolutionising disease diagnosis, making it faster, more accessible, and potentially life-saving.
- The Na-Nose device, an innovative breathalyzer developed by Hossam Haick, employs robotics and advanced technology, incorporating electronic nose (E-nose) principles, to diagnose 17 different diseases.
- Science and technology have merged in the Na-Nose device, as it utilizes machine learning algorithms, metal oxide semiconductor sensors, artificial neural networks (ANNs), and XGBoost models, to offer significant advancements in health-and-wellness, particularly by detecting various cancers at an early stage.
- The Na-Nose device and similar technologies could pave the way for innovations in the field of science, revolutionizing disease diagnosis by replicating the olfactory system of canines, thereby making it faster, more accessible, and potentially life-saving.
