Researchers from the University of Glasgow have found a way to make swallowable cameras more effective at detecting cancers of the throat and gut.
In recent years, tiny sensing systems small enough for patients to swallow have proven to be a valuable clinical alternative to more intrusive imaging methods such as endoscopes.
Until now, the systems, often known as video-pill, have relied on illuminating patients’ innards using a small light source, restricting clinicians to conclusions based on what they can see in the spectrum of visible light.
In a new paper published today (Friday 18 December) in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers from the University’s School of Engineering describe how they have used fluorescent light for the first time to expand the diagnostic capabilities of the video-pill.
Flurorescence imaging is already a powerful diagnostic tool in medicine, capable of clearly identifying in patients the rich blood supplies which support cancers and help them to grow, but which can be missed by examination under visible light. However, past fluorescence imaging technologies have been expensive, bulky and consume substantial power, confining the technique to laboratories and hospital examination rooms.
Using an advanced semiconductor single-pixel imaging technique, the researchers have managed to create flurorescence imaging in a small pill form for the first time.
The project was led by Professor David Cumming, in Electronic and Nanoscale Engineering at the University of Glasgow.
Research Associate, Dr Mohammed Al-Rawhani said: “The system we’ve developed is small enough and power efficient enough to image the entire human gastrointestinal tract for up to 14 hours.
“We’ve confirmed in the lab the ability of the system to image fluorescence ‘phantoms’ – mixtures of flavins and haemoglobins which mimic closely how cancers are affected by fluorescence in parts of the body like the intestines, the bowel and the aesophagus.
“The system could also be used to help track antibodies used to label cancer in the human body, creating a new way to detect of cancer.
“It’s a valuable new technique which could help clinicians make fewer false positives and negatives in cancer diagnosis, which could lead to more effective treatment in the future.”
Read more: Breakthrough for video-pill cancer imaging
The Latest on: Video-pill
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Video-pill” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Video-pill
- Stacey Dash Invites Reluctant Fans On Her Sober-Living Journey After Beating Pill Addiction as Her Baffling Reaction To DMX's Death Resurfaceson May 18, 2024 at 7:00 am
Stacey Dash says there is no truth to speculation that her happy-go-lucky demeanor is the result of drug use. In fact, it is quite the ...
- Miami DEA deputy special agent goes to church to talk about ‘brightly colored’ fake fentanyl pillson May 17, 2024 at 5:44 pm
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s recent warning at a church in Fort Lauderdale: “Two milligrams of fentanyl powder — enough to fit on the end of a pencil — can be deadly.” ...
- Evansville man who sold fentanyl-laced pills on Snapchat sentenced to federal prisonon May 17, 2024 at 10:07 am
A man accused of selling counterfeit prescription pills that police said caused three overdoses and killed a woman was sentenced to federal prison.
- Google Nest Doorbell vs. Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen): which is better for your front door?on May 16, 2024 at 3:30 pm
The Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) and Google Nest Doorbell are two of the most popular video doorbells of 2024. But which is best for your front door?
- Woman caught with almost 100 lbs of fentanyl pills in Indio: DOJon May 16, 2024 at 3:18 pm
An American woman living in Mexico faces a potential sentence of life in federal prison after officials say she was pulled over in Indio with almost 100 pounds of fentanyl pills in her car. Adriana ...
- The Pill Makes Some Women Miserable. But Are They Really Quitting It en Masse?on May 16, 2024 at 7:54 am
The internet is awash with stories of women throwing out their oral contraception. New data suggests a different narrative.
- Rock band Cage the Elephant emerge from loss and hospitalization with new album 'Neon Pill'on May 16, 2024 at 1:27 am
Recommended Videos In January 2023, the Kentucky raised singer-songwriter ... That so-called other person had contributed to the five-year recording of “Neon Pill” and it was up to Shultz — who was ...
- Attacking birth control pills, US influencers push misinformationon May 12, 2024 at 6:16 pm
US wellness influencers are increasingly targeting birth control pills, pushing their followers to abandon the contraceptives with false claims about infertility and low libido that researchers say ...
- Thousands of Amazon shoppers rave about this $7 travel pill organizer that's the size of a pack of gumon May 11, 2024 at 7:05 am
TikTok users aren't the only ones singing the pill organizer's praises. It's racked up nearly 11,000 five-star ratings from Amazon customers, too.
- Man arrested after stealing pain pills from co-worker’s purseon May 8, 2024 at 12:40 pm
A Bedford man was arrested after stealing prescription medication. Bedford Police arrested 39-year-old Jesse Felton on two counts of theft. On Thursday, ...
via Bing News