Blood Test Detects Cancer with Sound

Apr-11-15 A more effective blood test able to separate circulating tumor cells using sound waves could replace painful biopsies.

Current CTC detection tests require binding antibodies to be added to the sample, which can alter the CTC's genes and also requires that the clinician knows what cancer to be looking for. To open the door a wider range of less-destructive tests, researchers used computer modeling to improve on previous audio-based tests. The new testing device features two acoustical transducers angled to create a standing wave with different areas of high and low pressure. These different pressure areas form peaks and troughs that allow the CTC's to be identified based on their physical properties, such as size and deformability, and separated from the healthy cells by the force of the sound waves.

In tests, the new prototype system was able to separate 83 percent of the CTCs 20 times faster than previous versions.

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[POPSCI.COM]
[TELEGRAPH.CO.UK]

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