New pancreatitis test gets results in one hour
Tuesday 26th April 2011
Scientists have developed a simple, low cost test for acute pancreatitis which gets results much faster than the current checks.
Researchers from the University of Texas developed the sensor, which is comprised of an LED light, aluminium foil, gelatine and milk protein.
When a drop of blood is placed on a layer of gelatine and milk protein, if the individual does have acute pancreatitis, the high level of the trypsin enzyme in their blood will break down the gelatine.
A drop of sodium hydroxide is then added and if the gelatine has been broken down, it will dissolve the Reynold's wrap, allowing a circuit to form and lighting the LED.
Results are obtained within an hour, making it much faster than current tests for the condition, according to a paper published in Analytical Chemistry.
Researcher Brian Zaccheo said: "We've turned Reynold's Wrap, JELL-O and milk into a way to look for organ failure."
People with acute pancreatitis must always be hospitalised and in 20 per cent of cases, complications arise, such as a large drop in blood pressure, blood poisoning or multiple organ failure.
Written by Megan Smith
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