Medical Testing without Needles

Space researchers are making refinements to near infrared (NIR) spectroscopic techniques that will expand the range of noninvasive blood and tissue chemistry measurements and provide readings unaffected by skin color or body fat.

The researchers are gathering data from patients, measuring hematocrit, tissue pH, and tissue oxygenation using their new device and also standard techniques, so they can derive equations to calibrate the new NIR instrument. To make the device accurate regardless of skin color or body-fat content, the researchers are gathering data from 100 subjects representing five ethnic groups: African-American, Asian, Caucasian, Hispanic, and Mediterranean. The final step will be to develop clinical guidelines for the measurements, so doctors will know the significance of the readings.

"Once complete, this device will allow chemical analysis and diagnosis without removing samples from the patient. It will be useful for monitoring surgery patients, assessing severity of traumatic injury, and evaluating injuries in space,” said Dr. Babs Soller, researcher on the US National Space Biomedical Research Institute's smart medical systems team (Houston, TX, USA).

Since the technology is being designed to meet the lightweight, low-power and portable requirements of space, it will also be useful in ambulances, helicopters, and emergency rooms, says the team.





Related Links:
National Space Biomedical Research Institute