Big 'blow' for all deadly diseases, mortality rate to come down soon; Malayali startup wins patent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Blowing air with an open mouth could henceforth detect diseases, including cancer and tuberculosis. Early detection of the disease can reduce the mortality rate by providing timely treatment. For the first time in the country, a sensor technology that detects diseases by monitoring the fluctuations of 'Volatile Organic Compounds' (VOCs) has been developed by a startup called 'Accuibits Invent' operating at the Bio 360 Life Science Park. A patent has also been obtained.

A device called VolTrac was developed to detect lung cancer, asthma, and tuberculosis. Volatile organic compounds are carbon-containing substances that easily turn into gases. They are present in breath and sweat. The levels are higher in the bodies of people with the disease. If VOCs are above a certain level, the presence of the disease can be confirmed. If you test with VolTrac VOC sensors before prescribing an expensive biopsy, the presence of the disease can be identified. Dr Nidhin Sreekumar is the company's MD and Chief Research Scientist.

Women who have given birth, newborns, and those with other medical conditions are more likely to get infections in the hospital. The device called DeTecX, developed by the startup, will help detect this. If there is an infection, it will beep. One in 10 people in the country dies from hospital-acquired infections. Since children have low immunity, the device can be used in Anganwadis and schools.

“The devices that pass the lab test will be launched in the market soon after government certification and hospital trials. They will be made available at affordable prices to the common man. The startup was launched in 2020,” said Karthik, Head of Operations, Accubits Invent