Can a Patients’ Breath be an Indicator of Type 1 Diabetes?

Researchers from ETH Zurich have developed a new diagnostic tool for detecting Type 1 Diabetes in patients. Their new sensor is fueled by nanotechnology and can instantly tell doctors whether a patient is diabetic. Without a single blood test or related lab work, it can also recognize a related complication of Type 1 Diabetes known as diabetic ketoacidosis.

So, how does this new test work? Similar to a breathalyzer test, it can detect high levels of acetone in the breath of a patient, which is a key indicator of Type 1 Diabetes. If a patient has an especially high level of acetone, it is very possible that they also suffer from ketoacidosis, a serious buildup of acetone levels in the blood which occurs when the level of insulin falls too low.

A breakthrough in the medical equipment industry, this new sensor can identify the properties of nanoparticles as they are laid into a thin film between the device’s gold electrodes. Normally, these particles act like an electrical resistor, but that resistance is immediately diminished when acetone touches the sensor. Only a significant level of acetone will alter the resistance enough to cause the sensor to raise the red flag. However, it is sensitive enough to detect acetone at only 20 parts per billion, so its results are extremely reliable.

This innovation is certain to provide key lifesaving information when used to detect ketoacidosis in an ER setting, but it can also be used as intervention at home to determine if a diabetic should be taking more insulin.

Medical equipment researchers expect to see even more new applications for nanotechnology appear in medical devices over the next decade.

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