Could AI breathalysers soon diagnose Covid-19 and other diseases?

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AI-powered breathalysers show potential for diagnosing Covid-19 and other diseases

Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence-powered breathalyser that demonstrates significant promise in diagnosing various diseases, including Covid-19, cancer, and diabetes, directly from exhaled breath. An initial trial indicated an 85% accuracy rate when compared against PCR tests, suggesting a potential for rapid, non-invasive disease detection.
Technology for Disease Biomarker Detection

The developed breathalyser utilises frequency comb spectroscopy, a laser-based technique capable of distinguishing individual molecules within a breath sample. This allows for the identification of specific disease biomarkers present in exhaled breath. The integration of artificial intelligence, specifically machine learning, is crucial for analysing the molecular changes detected. This AI component identifies patterns in the fluctuations of molecule concentrations, which are associated with particular health conditions, and then develops criteria for predicting diagnoses.
Accuracy in Initial Trials

An initial trial involving 170 university students, conducted between May 2021 and January 2022, provided promising results. Participants in this trial had undergone PCR testing within the preceding 48 hours. When the breathalyser's diagnoses were compared to the results of these PCR tests, an 85% accuracy rate was achieved. While this study is considered small-scale and requires further validation with a larger participant pool, it highlights the breathalyser's potential effectiveness as an alternative diagnostic tool.
Future Development and Broader Applications

The research team is actively working on miniaturising the breathalyser system to a chip-sized format. This advancement aims to enable integration into various devices, potentially including smartphones, making the technology more accessible for widespread use. Beyond detecting specific diseases like Covid-19, the objective is to expand the breathalyser's capabilities. Researchers intend to use the technology to gain a deeper understanding of diseases, including insights into immune responses, nutritional deficiencies, and other factors that may contribute to or worsen illnesses.

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Could AI breathalysers soon diagnose Covid-19 and other diseases?

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