Innovative Breath Tests: A Comfortable Alternative to Swabbing
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The discomfort of nasal swabs is a common complaint among those undergoing COVID-19 testing. Currently, swabs are the primary means of obtaining samples for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT). Fortunately, advancements are on the horizon that could lead to less invasive testing methods, such as devices that analyze exhaled breath, similar to alcohol breathalyzers.
These breath-testing devices promise to deliver results more quickly and affordably than traditional RATs, although they may not completely replace PCR tests for all scenarios.
The benefits of breathalyzers are particularly noteworthy for:
- Health professionals and parents of young children, who will no longer have to deal with the distress of administering nasal tests.
- Environmental advocates, as these devices are expected to generate less waste than RATs, which have multiple disposable components.
- Nations like Australia facing RAT shortages, where breath tests could help bridge the gap in testing availability.
How Breathalyzers Function
Breathalyzers operate by having a person exhale into the device for analysis. The technology can identify infections through two primary methods.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
The predominant method involves detecting elevated levels of aldehydes, which are produced when cells or tissues are inflamed or damaged. Research indicates that the coronavirus can harm the pancreas and induce ketosis, producing a specific breath profile that indicates infection. Specialized sensors and mass spectrometry are often employed to analyze these profiles, with AI algorithms assisting in comparing them against a database of known infections.
However, distinguishing between breath profiles caused by different diseases can be challenging, as factors like diet, smoking, alcohol intake, or medications can also alter breath composition.
PCR-like and Terahertz Technologies
Two notable companies, GreyScan and Imec, utilize breathalyzers that target aerosols and droplets in breath to detect DNA fragments, akin to PCR tests. They employ custom silicon chips for aerosol analysis.
Another innovative method is being developed by RAM, which utilizes terahertz technology to identify unique genetic frequency signatures of pathogens. This approach compares the detected signatures against a database to confirm infections.
Companies Developing Breathalyzers
A variety of companies are either finalizing their breathalyzer technologies or have already begun production. Below is a non-exhaustive list of these innovators, showcasing devices for both personal and institutional use.
Australia
- Developer: GreyScan and University of Tasmania
- Product Name: TVD-2 Breathalyser
- Technology: Non-VOC. Results in 3 minutes using Capillary Zone Electrophoresis technology.
- Status: Deployment details are unclear.
Canada
- Developer: Canary Global
- Product Name: ASU Detect CV-19™
- Technology: VOC. Disposable nanotechnology with AI analysis, aiming for results in under a minute.
- Status: Trials began in India in November 2020; CE Mark received in January 2021.
Finland
- Developer: Forum Virium Helsinki and Deep Sensing Algorithms Ltd (DSA)
- Product Name: DSA BreathPass™
- Technology: VOC. Cloud-based AI to analyze short-lived organic compounds with results in 2 minutes.
- Status: Trials initiated in June 2020; EU medical certification achieved in January 2022.
Germany
- Developer: RAM Global
- Product Name: ThEA (Terahertz Express Analyser)
- Technology: Non-VOC. Identifies genetic frequency signatures without chemical reagents, with results in under 2 minutes.
- Status: Successful trials conducted at University Hospital Saarland; commercial release expected in 2021.
Indonesia
- Developers: Gadjah Mada University (UGM)
- Product Name: GeNose C19
- Technology: VOC. An electronic nose using gas sensors and AI pattern recognition, producing results in under 2 minutes.
- Status: Approved for distribution; capable of 120 tests per day.
Israel
- Developers: Technion and NaNose Medical
- Product Name: DiaNose
- Technology: VOC. Nanotechnology for specific biomarker detection in breath.
- Status: Peer-reviewed studies show high accuracy in clinical trials.
Singapore
- Developers: Breathonix
- Product Name: BreFence™ Go COVID-19
- Technology: VOC. Fast sample collection and analysis via mass spectrometry, with results in under a minute.
- Status: High sensitivity and specificity achieved; provisional permission granted for testing travelers.
The Netherlands
- Developer: Breathomix
- Product Name: SpiroNose
- Technology: VOC. Measures various biomarkers in breath and compares profiles using an online platform.
- Status: 1,800 units ordered for deployment; operational issues reported.
- Developer: Imec
- Product Name: COVID-19 Breathalyzer
- Technology: Non-VOC. RT-qPCR on silicon chips, yielding results in 18 minutes.
- Status: Licensing agreement for commercialization signed in October 2021.
Poland
- Developer: ML Systems S.A.
- Product Name: COVID Detector
- Technology: VOC. Results in 10 seconds using similar technology to alcohol breathalyzers.
- Status: Successful clinical trials; potential deployment at Warsaw Chopin Airport.
United Kingdom
- Developer: Exhalation Technology Ltd
- Product Name: CoronaCheck™
- Technology: VOC. Uses exhaled breath condensate for rapid testing under $10.
- Status: Ongoing clinical trials.
- Developer: ImspexMedical
- Product Name: BreathSpec®
- Technology: VOC. Combines gas chromatography and ion mobility spectrometry.
- Status: Trials show high sensitivity and specificity.
United States
- Developer: Texas A&M System, US Air Force, and Worlds Inc.
- Product Name: Worlds Protect
- Technology: VOC. Users blow into a kiosk-like unit with AI for accuracy.
- Status: Deployed on campus with results comparable to PCR tests.
Additional Resources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronavirus_breathalyzer
- Lancet: Diagnosis of COVID-19 by analysis of breath with gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry — a feasibility study
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