Feb 19, 2008 7:47 pm US/Mountain
Laser Light Might Be Newest Way To Detect Disease
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) ―
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In a month long study, volunteers breathed into what is called a "detection chamber." Scientists then used a technique called "optical frequency comb spectroscopy."
CBS
Scientists at the University of Colorado in Boulder have discovered a way to spot some diseases by blasting a person's breath with laser light. It has the potential to be cheap, quick and reliable.
The laser tests normal breath for biomarkers for diseases like asthma or cancer.
"You're using kind of the molecules in your breath to determine something about your current state," said Mike Thorpe, a CU graduate research assistant.
In a month long study, volunteers breathed into what is called a "detection chamber." Scientists then used a technique called "optical frequency comb spectroscopy." They blasted the breath with ultra fast invisible laser pulses that can recognize individual molecules. That information was recorded on a camera, allowing researchers to actually see what was in the breath on a computer.
"Researchers have already identified more than 1,000 of these molecules that exist on your breath, and they pertain to your metabolism, or maybe disease, or just the state of your health in general," Thorpe said.
In one of the student volunteers, a smoker, they found carbon monoxide levels five times higher than those in a nonsmoking student. Other studies already show they can detect asthma or ulcers by the presence of certain gases. This one offers a much broader range.
"In the future hopefully we'll be able to tell things about kidney failure, liver failure, cancer and diabetes," Thorpe said.
CU is excited about what their research could mean for health care.
"I hope it means a cheaper method for health screening," Thorpe said. "That would be the ultimate goal."
The new technique has yet to be tested in clinical trails, but CU is already getting calls from entrepreneurs hoping to get in on this promising laser technology.
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