Scientists at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom have created a revolutionary innovation in medicine. They have developed a new method for detecting cancer metastases using a portable and compact diamond-based sensor. This research was published in the journal “Physical Review Applied.”
Cancer cells are not limited to damaging only the primary tumor. They can spread to other organs through the lymphatic system. Therefore, determining the condition of lymph nodes is important: this helps doctors correctly choose the treatment strategy. Currently, radioactive markers or special blue dyes are used. However, radiopharmaceutical substances are not available in all clinics, and the dye can cause allergic reactions in some patients.
The new device by Warwick University physicists offers a completely different approach. The sensor works based on NV centers – defects in the crystal lattice formed by nitrogen atoms and vacancies, capable of detecting even the smallest changes in the magnetic field. The sensor reacts to a special magnetic fluid containing iron oxide nanoparticles. With this technology, it is possible to determine which lymph nodes the tumor has spread to and remove them precisely during surgery.
“We reduced the main part of the sensor to only 10 mm – this is compact enough for use in endoscopy and laparoscopy. This is the first example of a diamond device,” says the research author Alex Newman.
The device operates using a 0.5 mm³ micro-diamond and a small permanent magnet, so no additional large electronics are required. Doctors have highly appreciated this innovation.
Coventry and Warwick Hospital surgeon Stuart Robertson emphasized: “I regularly use magnetic navigation in breast cancer treatment. This gives an advantage over traditional methods. Therefore, collaboration with the University of Warwick and further development of the technology is very important.”
Experts believe that in the future, this sensor could also be used to detect tumors in the lungs, liver, intestines, and esophagus. This will allow a new era in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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