30th April 2021 11:08 am 30th April 2021 11:08 am
Diseases including gastric cancer and bacterial meningitis could be diagnosed with a
fibre-optic ultrasonic imaging probe developed at Nottingham University.
Prototype phonon probe system (Image: Nottingham University)
Claimed to be a world first, the ultrasonic imaging system, which can be deployed on the tip of a thin optical fibre, will be insertable into the human body to visualise cell abnormalities in 3D.
The new technology produces microscopic and nanoscopic resolution images likely to help clinicians to examine cells inhabiting hard-to-reach parts of the body, such as the gastrointestinal tract.
The EPSRC-funded device is said to deliver a level of performance only possible in advanced research labs. It also reduces the need for conventional fluorescent labels, which can be harmful to human cells in large doses. The findings are detailed in
Date Time
World’s first fibre-optic ultrasonic imaging probe for future nanoscale disease diagnostics
Scientists at the University of Nottingham have developed an ultrasonic imaging system, which can be deployed on the tip of a hair-thin optical fibre, and will be insertable into the human body to visualise cell abnormalities in 3D.
The new technology produces microscopic and nanoscopic resolution images that will one day help clinicians to examine cells inhabiting hard-to-reach parts of the body, such as the gastrointestinal tract, and offer more effective diagnoses for diseases ranging from gastric cancer to bacterial meningitis.
The high level of performance the technology delivers is currently only possible in state-of-the-art research labs with large, scientific instruments – whereas this compact system has the potential to bring it into clinical settings to improve patient care.
A silicone ball implanted in the stomach could help relieve persistent heartburn. The device, about the size of a ping pong ball, is stitched to the top of the inside of the stomach via keyhole surgery.
In position, the ball presses down on the one-way valve that lets food move from the oesophagus the food pipe and into the stomach.
This stops the valve opening the wrong way and letting acid leak from the stomach back up into the oesophagus, which is common in heartburn patients and causes the ‘burning’ pain.
The device, about the size of a ping pong ball, is stitched to the top of the inside of the stomach via keyhole surgery