|
Lung Cancer "Smelled" by Nanotechnology Sensors (Associated Content, 5/25/09) |
|
|
|
|
June 06, 2009 |
Two separate groups of researchers have experimented with the use of nanotechnology sensors to detect the presence of cancer by "smelling" air molecules in the breath of patients with lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Breath analysis of cancer patients had been studied in 2006 by Michael McCulloch in a research study where five dogs were trained to either sit or lie down in front of a test station after inhaling breath samples of 86 cancer patients and 83 healthy patients. The dogs accurately
identified those patients with lung cancer and breast cancer between 88-97 % of the time even if the patients were smokers or were in the early stages of their disease.
Nanotechnology has furthered the method of diagnosing cancer with "smell" using specially programmed nanotechnology sensors. In Haifa Israel, Dr. Hossam Haick Ph.D and his team tested carbon nanotubes coated with special organic substances that are capable of signaling the electrical change when they come in contact with the type of molecules that are in human breath.
Carbon nanotubes are rolled sheets of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagon pattern and are 10,000 times thinner than hair. The researchers used 10 different types of coatings which create different identifiable signals when exposed to the type of substances in exhaled air. The air tested was from 15 patients with stage 4 lung cancer and 15 healthy individuals. Their device was able to discern between "healthy air" and "lung cancer" air.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1781600/lung_cancer_smelled_by_nanotechnology.html?cat=5
|
