We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
BIO-RAD LABORATORIES

Download Mobile App




Pain-Free, Low-Cost, Sensitive, Radiation-Free Device Detects Breast Cancer in Urine

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 20 Feb 2024
Print article
Image: The device can address the diagnostic challenges of breast cancer in young women with dense breast tissue (Photo courtesy of The Blue Box)
Image: The device can address the diagnostic challenges of breast cancer in young women with dense breast tissue (Photo courtesy of The Blue Box)

Currently, mammography is the standard method for breast cancer diagnosis, but it has several limitations. The primary concern with mammograms is their lack of infallibility. False negatives can occur when normal breast tissue conceals cancer, and false positives may arise from anomalies that resemble cancer but are benign, causing unnecessary anxiety for patients. Additionally, the radiation involved in these tests could potentially contribute to the development of cancer over time. Now, a pain-free, low-cost, sensitive, radiation-free device that can detect breast cancer in urine with a sensitivity of 88.33% could bring about a shift in the diagnostic approach toward this disease.

The Blue Box Biomedical Solutions (Barcelona, Spain) has developed an affordable, user-friendly, and portable device that can detect breast cancer using a urine sample. This device, known as the Blue Box, employs an innovative eNose (electronic nose) to detect the smell of urine. It features a chemical sensor array that identifies breast cancer biomarkers present in urine that become volatile when heated, indicating the presence of the disease. The device also incorporates an AI algorithm that analyzes the sensor activation heatmap to determine if a subject has breast cancer, identifying patterns unique to the disease. This AI can detect breast cancer based on the presence and relative intensities of multiple volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Blue Box performs as similarly as possible to expensive and big lab machinery without the need for expensive and big lab machinery, complex sample handling procedures, and trained personnel.

The Blue Box offers a significant improvement in breast cancer treatment and diagnosis, benefiting both patients and healthcare professionals. Its problem-oriented design ensures accessibility, allowing for the early detection and treatment of more breast cancer cases. Its widespread use could transform breast cancer prevention by enabling earlier and simpler diagnoses, thus allowing for more timely treatments. Additionally, it eliminates the discomfort and anxiety associated with traditional testing methods. The company has successfully run two pilots to validate its technology in 7 hospitals, with over 450 patients. It now plans to launch the device in 2025 by bringing it to gynecology clinics with a Diagnostic-as-a-Service subscription model and a pay-per-test revenue stream that will be shared with doctors.

 

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Magnetic Bead Separation Modules
MAG and HEATMAG
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
Gold Member
ADAMTS-13 Protease Activity Test
ATS-13 Activity Assay

Print article

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: A blood test could predict lung cancer risk more accurately and reduce the number of required scans (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Blood Test Accurately Predicts Lung Cancer Risk and Reduces Need for Scans

Lung cancer is extremely hard to detect early due to the limitations of current screening technologies, which are costly, sometimes inaccurate, and less commonly endorsed by healthcare professionals compared... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The CAPILLARYS 3 DBS devices have received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Sebia)

Next Generation Instrument Screens for Hemoglobin Disorders in Newborns

Hemoglobinopathies, the most widespread inherited conditions globally, affect about 7% of the population as carriers, with 2.7% of newborns being born with these conditions. The spectrum of clinical manifestations... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: Exosomes can be a promising biomarker for cellular rejection after organ transplant (Photo courtesy of Nicolas Primola/Shutterstock)

Diagnostic Blood Test for Cellular Rejection after Organ Transplant Could Replace Surgical Biopsies

Transplanted organs constantly face the risk of being rejected by the recipient's immune system which differentiates self from non-self using T cells and B cells. T cells are commonly associated with acute... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: Comparison of traditional histopathology imaging vs. PARS raw data (Photo courtesy of University of Waterloo)

AI-Powered Digital Imaging System to Revolutionize Cancer Diagnosis

The process of biopsy is important for confirming the presence of cancer. In the conventional histopathology technique, tissue is excised, sliced, stained, mounted on slides, and examined under a microscope... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.