‘Electronic Nose’ Sniffs Out Asthma
Related: asthma, Electronic Nose, smells, Sniffs
Using an artificial breath-sensor system called the “electronic nose,” Italian researchers were able to find more cases of asthma than with traditional diagnostic tools. In fact, the electronic nose detected nearly 90 percent of people with asthma compared to about 70 percent who were accurately diagnosed in the usual way.
When they combined it with another test, (the fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) test), the electronic nose did an even better job at detecting asthma. This is great news and means that eventually we can find and treat asthma sooner, which means getting it under control.
The device identifies volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath. These VOCs produce a unique smell print for each individual and specific patterns are seen in people with asthma.
Last Updated on April 7th, 2010
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