Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have created a prototype breath test capable of detecting pneumonia and other lung diseases through exhaled air. The portable device allows for the identification of the illness within minutes without the need for X-rays or laboratory tests, El.kz reports
This technology could significantly speed up diagnostics and simplify the patient examination process. The development is based on the analysis of biomarkers—molecules that are released during infections. To conduct the test, a patient inhales an aerosol containing nanoparticles, similar to asthma medications, and then exhales. If the person is healthy, the particles are expelled from the body unchanged. However, if pneumonia is present, enzymes from the infection break down the nanoparticles, releasing molecules that are then captured by the device's sensor.
Unlike traditional methods that require laboratory equipment, the new system is capable of detecting even low concentrations of biomarkers. This makes rapid diagnostics possible directly in a doctor's office or even at home. The technology has been tested on samples of lung fluid from mice. During the experiment, scientists added synthetic pneumonia biomarkers and simulated the exhalation process. The sensor successfully recorded clinically significant concentrations of the substances.
The next stage will be the creation of a mask for collecting exhaled air. It is envisioned that the patient will breathe into it for several minutes after inhalation, and a built-in portable spectrometer will quickly determine the presence of the disease.
The developers note that breath-based diagnostic technologies are currently evolving rapidly, although most are still in the experimental stage. They are aimed at identifying various diseases, ranging from infections to certain forms of cancer. It is expected that the implementation of such solutions will speed up diagnostics, reduce the burden on medical facilities, and make screenings more accessible to patients.
