MEDICAL & PHARMACEUTICAL FEATURE
Society Conference that FAIMS outperformed three eNose type sensors and Gas-Chromatography Mass- Spectrometry in its ability to differentiate breath samples given by severe asthma sufferers from those of healthy control patients. They have also shown that the system has the potential to distinguish eosinophilic from non-eosinophilic asthma, allowing drug therapies to be more effectively targeted for individuals. In addition, initial studies by Arasaradnam et al have found that FAIMS can be used to differentiate between patients with colorectal cancer and healthy controls, with a sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 60%, by comparing the spectrum of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in urine. These initial results suggest that FAIMS could potentially prove valuable as part of a screening program for early-stage bowel cancer, outperforming current alternatives. Furthermore, a team from the
Pulmonology department at the Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, used Owlstone's Lonestar as part of an eNose array to conduct a proof-of- concept study showing that tuberculosis can be diagnosed via chemical markers in exhaled breath. Notably, this is true even in TB cases where the sputum ZN-smear
gives a negative result, which currently cause significant diagnostic problems. Research teams around the world have
already discovered the potential of FAIMS. Published studies cover the spectrum from cancer (bowel/colorectal) to inflammatory diseases (such as IBD and Celiac disease)
to infectious diseases (C. difficile). However, a huge range of diseases with the potential to be diagnosed using VOC signatures remain unexplored.
Owlstone A NON-INVASIVE SOLUTION FOR SCREENING NEWBORNS
When born, babies are screened for high bilirubin levels to assess the risk of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia by taking blood samples through heel sticks. Now, however, a new system has been developed which reduces the number of heel punctures by accurately measuring the level of transcutaneous bilirubin in a noninvasive manner, reducing the risk of infection. Based on spectroscopy, the patented BiliCare device for neonatal jaundice screening measures the
levels in newborns born at the gestational age of 24 weeks and above by transmitting light at different wavelengths through the outer ear. The amount of light absorbed by the bilirubin is calculated by comparing the intensity of the light before it enters the tissue with its intensity after it leaves. The transcutaneous bilirubin of the newborn is then calculated according to a customised algorithm. The device features Macro Sensors’ compact CD Series Miniature AC LVDT linear position sensors. These are used to measure the thickness of the neonates tissue through which the transmitted light passes. These are capable of achieving an accuracy of ±30 microns in tissue thickness measurement. Eyal Gerber, co-founder of Gerium Medical and product
manager of BiliCare, said: “Macro Sensors LVDT Position Sensors are very reliable, steady and accurate mechanisms that provide a very good solution for tissue thickness measurement. Chosen for its accuracy, we are very satisfied with its overall performance.”
Gerium Medical Macro Sensors
www.geriumltd.com www.macrosensors.com
INSTRUMENTATION | DEC/JAN 2016
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