Most of the time, we would associate a breathalyzer with something that the authorities, especially police, would use in order to keep tabs on drivers who have been ordered to pull over, to ascertain whether they are driving with alcohol in their blood that is above the legal limit. Well, it looks like breathalyzers are about to embark on a different adventure this time around, as researchers at the Chongqing University in China have been developing a sensor that is capable of detecting volatile organic compounds in a person’s breath, including the possibility of checking for the presence of lung cancer.
To date, under controlled laboratory conditions, the tests have been more or less successful – we are talking about having close to 100% accuracy here. Just how is this made possible? Well, a fluorescent cross-responsive sensor array that features a special rotary gas chamber would be able to spread the gas evenly. There are dots located on the outside of the sensor ring that will change color, depending on the substance that they come in contact with.
By detecting the amount of fluorescence of the array because of the introduction of a gas, the device will then be able to spot the existence of specific biomarkers. So far, tests have shown the ability to spot cancer-related volatile organic compounds p-xylene, styrene, isoprene, and hexanal even at concentrations of up to 50 parts per billion. Clinical trials are the next logical step to take here.