This Rs 5K wireless tech may help scientists find a cure for cancer faster
The new device brings scientists a step closer to finding an effective cancer drug.
By ET Online | Updated:
Agencies
FAST’s sensor is made of a flexible and stretchable skin-like polymer that includes an embedded layer of gold circuitry. (Image credit: Alex Abramson, Bao Group, Stanford University)
Finding the cure for cancer has taken longer than ever, but technology may make it happen faster.
A team of American engineers created a small and autonomous device that can stick to the skin and help measure the changing size of the tumour(s) under it.
Termed 'FAST' (Flexible Autonomous Sensor-measuring Tumours), the non-invasive, battery-operated device has been innovated by researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology and Stanford University. The study has been published in the Science Advances journal.
The new device is said to be one-hundredth of a millimetre (10 micrometres) sensitive that can wirelessly transmit results to a smartphone app in real time with the press of a button.
The inexpensive technology envelopes the entire tumour to measure shape changes, provides continuous monitoring, and is both autonomous and non-invasive.
Use Of The Technology The cure and effective treatment for different types of cancer is still a long way.
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In many cases, technologies that measure tumour regression (during the course of the treatment) take weeks. Hence, the delay in the process of testing drug treatment further slows several ongoing research.
In many cases, scientists have to use metal pincer-like callipers to test soft tissues, which is not an ideal approach. Looking to radiological approaches for answers also doesn't provide the kind of data experts needs for real-time assessment.
World Cancer Day: Prostate Cancer Is An Old Man's Disease, Affects Libido & Other Myths Busted
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Prostate is a walnut-shaped gland that is located between the bladder and penis. This gland is responsible for protecting and nourishing the sperms and contributes to the semen amount. Growths in the prostate gland can either be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancer types among men. It develops when abnormal cells in the prostate gland multiply and accumulate to form a tumour.
Screening and early detection play a very crucial role in the management of prostate cancer as the disease can be managed in the early stages through minimal medical intervention. Hence, being aware of the risk factors, early warning signs, screening and treatment methodologies are crucial to manage it and reduce morbidity.
On World Cancer Day, Dr Rajesh Ahlawat, Group Chairman - Urology and Andrology, Kidney and Urology Institute at Medanta multisuperspeciality hospital in Gurgaon, busts certain myths associated with prostate cancer:
Prostate is a walnut-shaped gland that is located between the bladder and penis. This gland is responsible for protecting and nourishing the sperms and contributes to the semen amount. Growths in the..
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FACT: While most prostate cancer patients are above the age of 60 years, those who are younger are at risk too. The risk factors include family history, lifestyle, genetics, diet, obesity and smoking.
FACT: While most prostate cancer patients are above the age of 60 years, those who are younger are at risk too. The risk factors include family history, lifestyle, genetics, diet, obesity and smoking..
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FACT: Prostate cancer is highly asymptomatic. The symptoms vary widely from person to person and may be caused by several other conditions or disorders as well. The common early symptoms are urination issues. Erectile dysfunction, painful ejaculation, blood in urine or semen, pain or stiffness in the lower back or groin area, unexplained weight loss or decreased energy levels are other less common symptoms.
FACT: Prostate cancer is highly asymptomatic. The symptoms vary widely from person to person and may be caused by several other conditions or disorders as well. The common early symptoms are urinatio..
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FACT: When the cancer is diagnosed early and confined to the prostate, the success rates are higher. However, when prostate cancer is diagnosed at a later stage, the treatment becomes more complicated and difficult. It is never possible to cure disease if it has spread to areas outside the “Prostate box”.
FACT: When the cancer is diagnosed early and confined to the prostate, the success rates are higher. However, when prostate cancer is diagnosed at a later stage, the treatment becomes more complicate..
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FACT: Surgery is one of many treatment options available for prostate cancer. Another equally effective method to treat Prostate cancer is with Radiotherapy. While there is limited data available about other minimally invasive treatments, procedures such as partial gland ablation, use of heat or cold (cryotherapy) to kill prostate cancer cells within a portion of the prostate, high-intensity focused ultrasound, non-surgical therapy such as ultrasound waves to heat and destroy prostate tissue can also be other effective alternative at very early stage if disease is confined to a small area of the prostate gland.
FACT: Surgery is one of many treatment options available for prostate cancer. Another equally effective method to treat Prostate cancer is with Radiotherapy. While there is limited data available ab..
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FACT: Prostate cancer involves a variety of risk factors such as age, overall health, race, family history of the disease, and lifestyles. The possibility of being at risk should be discussed with the doctor, post which an informed decision should be made about undergoing screening.
FACT: Prostate cancer involves a variety of risk factors such as age, overall health, race, family history of the disease, and lifestyles. The possibility of being at risk should be discussed with th..
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FACT: There is certainly a risk of impotence and incontinence associated with prostate cancer treatment, but it is temporary and persists only in few cases. The treatment certainly causes absence of ejaculation but does not affect intercourse or its climax. The side-effects also depend upon the treatment administered and the surgeon’s technique and experience.
FACT: There is certainly a risk of impotence and incontinence associated with prostate cancer treatment, but it is temporary and persists only in few cases. The treatment certainly causes absence of ..
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FACT: Inherited gene changes can increase a man’s risk for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer does run in families, though, in most cases it occurs in men without a family history of the disease.
FACT: Inherited gene changes can increase a man’s risk for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer does run in families, though, in most cases it occurs in men without a family history of the disease.
FACT: In certain cases, prostate cancer may not be treated immediately especially in the early stages when the cancer starts growing or if the treatment can increase health problems. In such cases, an active surveillance may be recommended by undergoing regular screening to monitor the spread of the cancer and decide upon the course of treatment over the behaviour of disease over a period of time.
FACT: In certain cases, prostate cancer may not be treated immediately especially in the early stages when the cancer starts growing or if the treatment can increase health problems. In such cases, a..
In such cases, this technology comes handy. FAST can detect changes in the volume of a tumour, even on the minute timescale, whereas calliper and bioluminescence measurements often take weeks of observations to understand the changes in tumour sizes.
With the help of this device, scientists will be able to test the efficacy of potential cancer drugs on mice with tumours. The autonomous device will help researchers monitor the tumour variation and the shortcomings of their existing approach.
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What's So Special About It? This non-invasive device is not only affordable but also reusable. It takes just $60 (approximately Rs 4,800) to assemble the FAST packs, which can be attached to the mouse in minutes.
The sensor of FAST is made of a flexible and stretchable skin-like polymer. The sensor comes with an embedded layer of gold circuitry which is connected to a small electronic backpack. It has been designed by former post-docs and co-authors Yasser Khan and Naoji Matsuhisa.
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The device can monitor how much a tumour stretches or shrinks, and then transmits the data to a smartphone.
The researchers believe that the devices' flexible electronic material is a breakthrough in science and technology. "Coated on top of the skin-like polymer is a layer of gold, which, when stretched, develops small cracks that change the electrical conductivity of the material. Stretch the material and the number of cracks increases, causing the electronic resistance in the sensor to increase as well. When the material contracts, the cracks come back into contact and conductivity improves," the study says.
The hands-free technology can be promising in finding future cancer treatments.
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