Chemoresistive Sensor Array for Colorectal Cancer Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting colorectal cancer and adenomas using fecal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are not suitable for routine screening of large populations due to complexity, lack of specificity, and high rates of false negatives and positives, particularly with the standard occult blood test (SOF).
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a series of chemoresistive sensors in a solid state, capable of detecting VOC biomarkers in fecal gases through a laminar air flow system, allowing for non-invasive, portable, and cost-effective screening with reduced false negatives and false positives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electronic nose with neural networks is used for fecal gas analysis, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity and operational complexity increase making it unsuitable for routine screening
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the detection task into multiple independent chemoresistive sensors, each sensitive to different VOC groups. This segmentation allows parallel detection of multiple biomarkers without requiring complex neural network processing, simplifying the overall system while maintaining high detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex electronic nose system with neural networks with a simpler chemoresistive sensor array that directly converts chemical information into electrical signals. This substitution eliminates the need for complex pattern recognition algorithms while preserving detection accuracy
2Ease of operation
If standard occult blood test (SOF) is used for screening, then ease of operation is maintained, but false negative rate increases to around 20%
Solution Approach 1:
The device maintains the simplicity of home-based sampling like SOF but adds multi-functional detection capability by using an array of chemoresistive sensors that detect multiple VOC biomarkers simultaneously. This multi-functionality increases reliability and reduces false negatives while keeping the sampling process simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite sensor array combining multiple chemoresistive materials with different sensitivities to various VOCs. This composite approach enhances detection reliability by identifying multiple biomarkers, reducing false negatives while maintaining ease of operation
3Measurement precision
If chromatic gas analysis systems are used for VOC detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and pre-treatment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential detection function from complex chromatographic systems by using chemoresistive sensors that directly detect VOCs in the gas phase without requiring gas chromatography pre-treatment. This extraction maintains measurement precision for cancer biomarkers while eliminating unnecessary complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary concentration of VOCs in the breath sample before detection by the chemoresistive sensor array. This preliminary action ensures sufficient signal strength for accurate detection without requiring complex chromatographic separation pre-treatment
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides reliable, quick, and cost-effective screening for colorectal cancer and adenomas, reducing false negative results and enhancing diagnostic accuracy, making it suitable for large-scale population screening and complementary to existing tests.
Implementation Method 1
The measurement equipment includes flowmeters, a computer for collection and processing unit of the real-time response, a cylindrical chamber hermetically closed in which eight chemoresistive sensors are circularly arranged
Implementation Method 2
A device comprising a series of chemoresistive sensors in a solid state, capable of detecting VOC biomarkers in fecal gases through a laminar air flow system
Data Source
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AI summary
Detection device (1) for detecting volatile organic compounds in faecal gases, which device is suitable for a preliminary screening of cancer/adenoma of the colon-rectum and comprises: • - a container (6) of a feces sample; • - a plurality of sensors (3), each configured for detecting respective volatile organic compounds of faecal gases; • - a pump (40) to supply a flow of air on the feces sample and to said sensors (3), said pump being associated to a pneumatic circuit (41) and to flow regulators (45, 46); and • - a processing unit (5), in communication with said sensors, configured to provide an output datum on the presence of cancer/ adenoma of the colon-rectum.