Portable laser devices to ensure better, painless disease diagnosis
September 23rd, 2010 - 3:50 pm ICT by ANIWashington, Sept 23 (ANI): A visit to the dentist could now be a painless affair, with the development of new portable laser devices to probe bones, teeth, and other parts of the body for early signs of diseases like osteoporosis and tooth decay.
C&EN Senior Editor Celia Henry Arnaud notes that these new diagnostic tools will have the ability to see beneath the skin and detect disease, without exposing patients to X-rays.
The laser beam technology, called Raman spectroscopy, focuses a laser beam painlessly through the skin onto a bone or onto the surface of a tooth. After hitting its target, the beam returns to an electronic detector with imprinted information that can reveal whether disease is present.
The technology is a mainstay tool in chemistry laboratories that is finding a new life in medicine.The article describes growing medical interest in Raman-based devices, especially for diagnosing osteoporosis and other bone diseases, and for tracking the effectiveness of treatment.
It could also mark the end of “drill-and-fill” routine for tooth decay treatments.The technique could also mean blood tests done without taking blood samples, the article indicates.
The article is published in the current issue of Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), ACS’ weekly newsmagazine. (ANI)
- Proteins, like people, act differently when packed together - Dec 03, 2010
- Smart laser technology could make cancer biopsies painless - Feb 01, 2011
- 'Anti-ageing' vitamin could weaken your bones - Mar 06, 2012
- Herbal supplements 'contain toxic metals and pesticides' - Jul 22, 2010
- Blood test to detect schizophrenia by year-end - Jan 21, 2010
- Now, blood test for schizophrenia - Jan 21, 2010
- Gene combinations linked to hip osteoporosis in postmenopausal women - Mar 30, 2011
- Regrowing lost limbs may soon be a reality - Aug 05, 2010
- US expands search for weapons of mass destruction to East Africa - Apr 14, 2011
- Six dental myths demystified - Aug 06, 2010
- Postmenopausal women urged to increase yearly dental checkups - Mar 11, 2011
- Dental implants becoming popular method for replacing teeth - Jan 17, 2010
- Your child's milk tooth can save her life - Mar 30, 2012
- Jedi clone 'most dangerous laser ever created' up on offer online - Jun 16, 2010
- New forms of dietary fiber could be a boon to health - Dec 09, 2010
Tags: blood samples, blood tests, bone diseases, c amp, celia henry, chemistry laboratories, diagnostic tools, disease diagnosis, electronic detector, engineering news, henry arnaud, laser beam technology, laser devices, medical interest, painless disease, taking blood, target, tooth decay, visit to the dentist, x rays