A Game-Changer in Cancer Detection
The new device utilizes Photoacoustic Spectral Response (PASR) technology, which combines optical and acoustic signals to identify abnormal tissue changes. “It is incredibly affordable, reducing the cost to approximately one-tenth of the price of traditional diagnostic methods (after its commercial production),” an institute official told PTI. This affordability will make the device accessible to more patients, especially in underprivileged regions.
Addressing Healthcare Accessibility
IIT Indore’s Director, Suhas Joshi, highlighted the issue of high costs associated with current diagnostic tools, such as MRI and CT scanners, which are mainly imported and not easily accessible to the majority of the population. “By developing a cost-effective and indigenous cancer screening device, IIT Indore is addressing a critical need in the healthcare system. The device has the potential to significantly improve cancer detection in rural and underserved areas, where early diagnosis can make a life-saving difference,” he told PTI.
Technology Behind the Device
Prof. Vasudevan elaborated on the device’s technology, explaining that it can differentiate between cancerous and non-cancerous tissues. The device employs a compact pulsed laser diode (PLD) to generate light that interacts with the tissue. The resulting response is then analyzed to determine whether the tissue is normal, benign, or malignant.
“This cost-effective screening tool is designed to reduce the need for expensive diagnostic methods and is particularly useful for breast cancer screening, as it can differentiate between malignant tumors, fibrocystic changes, and normal breast tissue,” he told PTI.
This innovation by IIT Indore promises to enhance early cancer detection and improve healthcare outcomes for women in rural and underserved communities across India.
(Inputs from PTI)
