New Technology Spots Decompression Sickness

A new system can diagnose decompression sickness, which can restrict the flow of blood throughout the body and cause substantial damage, before symptoms appear.

A researcher at the University of Houston (TX, USA) is developing a laser-based optical device that can locate the early presence of nitrogen gas microbubbles in blood and tissues. The new system works much like an ultrasound machine, but instead of acquiring readings by using sound waves, the system uses laser waves that bounce back when they encounter resistance, thereby providing a high-resolution image. An early version of the system has been able to locate microbubbles as small as six micrometers, or six thousandths of a millimeter; most microbubbles are between five and 15 micrometers, about the size of a red blood cell.

The system could eventually be used on all divers or pilots returning to normal pressure levels. The system could provide an image that would reveal the presence of any microbubbles in the blood or tissue in a matter of seconds. If microbubbles are indeed found, then medical steps, such as time in a decompression chamber, could be taken before the clinical symptoms appear.

"Most of the time, decompression sickness isn't addressed until the person starts showing clinical symptoms,” said developer Kirill Larin, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering. "It would be better, of course, to treat the problem before the symptoms appear. That would allow individuals to take the appropriate medical actions to reduce the side effects of decompression sickness.”

Decompression sickness affects those who experience sudden, drastic changes in the air or water pressure surrounding their bodies, such as scuba divers, submariners, and airplane pilots. It can cause anything from joint pain--known as the bends--to seizure, stroke, coma, and in the most extreme cases, death.


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