{"id":23705,"date":"2018-04-11T12:12:30","date_gmt":"2018-04-11T16:12:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/?p=23705"},"modified":"2022-03-16T12:04:51","modified_gmt":"2022-03-16T16:04:51","slug":"laser-device-diagnose-disease-breath-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/laser-device-diagnose-disease-breath-analysis\/","title":{"rendered":"New Laser Device Paves Way for Diagnosing Diseases Through Breath Analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"

A team of researchers led by the University of Central Florida (UCF) has developed an <\/span>infrared laser device<\/span><\/a> capable of detecting any molecule in the air. <\/span><\/p>\n

With this device, people can look for traces of air pollution, global warming gases and chemical agents, conduct medical breath analyses, and even use the device to look for traces of life on interplanetary missions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe can detect molecules in a very sensitive way,\u201d said <\/span>Konstantin Vodopyanov<\/span><\/a>, UCF professor of optics and photonics and lead author of this research. \u201cWe can take the air from the room and we can see not only the usual, like carbon dioxide and water, but we can also see trace gases.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The full paper is published in the journal <\/span>Nature Photonics<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

The technology allows scientists to detect a mixture of many molecules simultaneously. In the study, Vodopyanov and his team demonstrated the detection of 22 trace molecules in a gas mixture. <\/span><\/p>\n

This technique is even capable of picking up on the isotopes in the air, which is important for detection of nuclear materials, so it could help protect humans in the event of a chemical or biological military attack. <\/span><\/p>\n

But Vodopyanov is most immediately interested in his device\u2019s potential in the medical field. He wants to team up with doctors to conduct breath analysis. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can diagnose many diseases just by analyzing the breath,\u201d said Vodopyanov.<\/span><\/p>\n

Think of the breathalizer. It picks up on molecules in one\u2019s breath to detect traces of alcohol. This device could be applied in a similar way. <\/span><\/p>\n

How it Works<\/b><\/h2>\n

Chemicals are made up of molecules that constantly vibrate in the air, and molecules in the infrared range have specifically strong signatures. With these two concepts in mind, Vodopyanov effectively developed a method to use lasers to pick up on molecules vibrations. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe frequencies of molecules are very distinct, but they are invariant \u2013 here, on a different continent, on a different planet, anywhere,\u201d Vodopyanov said in a statement. \u201cIt is universal. Think of it as a molecular fingerprint. So when we use the laser we can detect these fingerprints with great precision.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n