Detecting cancer usually involves taking samples from the body, sending them to a laboratory and then waiting sometimes for days for the results to come back. On occasion, Doctors could benefit from detecting cancer rapidly so they can make quick, informed decisions on the type of treatment to proceed with.
Invivosense ASA, based in Trondheim, Norway, is introducing a patented biosensor technology using fibre-optics and biopolymer “smart-gels” that can detect very small amounts of cancer in various parts of the body within minutes.
PSA Biosensor
The first protein detection biosensor, on sale in 2008, will be the PSA Biosensor and its first application will be to detect Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) just outside of the prostate gland prior to Radical Prostatectomy (RP) surgery. PSA in tissue fluid just outside of the prostate gland is an indication of later-stage prostate cancer where RP surgery may not be the best choice of treatment to proceed with.
The TMS Biosensor is available as a research tool to healthcare professionals who utilise cryotherapy treatments for cancer. It measures temperature changes from -100 to +130 degrees centigrade in minutes.