This month: The phonon probe
OK, so what’s a phonon probe?
An ultrasonic imaging system, which can be deployed on the tip of a hair-thin optical fibre, and will be insertable into the human body to visualise cell abnormalities in 3D.
What will it be used for?
The technology, developed at the University of Nottingham, produces microscopic and nanoscopic resolution images that it is hoped will one day help clinicians to examine cells inhabiting hard-to-reach parts of the body, such as the gastrointestinal tract, and offer more effective diagnoses for diseases ranging from gastric cancer to bacterial meningitis.
Is this new?
The high level of performance the technology delivers is currently only possible in state-of-the-art research labs with large, scientific instruments – whereas this compact system has the potential to bring it into clinical settings to improve patient care.
Are there any other benefits?
Yes, it reduces the need for conventional fluorescent labels – chemicals used to examine cell biology under a microscope – which can be harmful to human cells in large doses.
What have the scientists behind it said?
Doctoral Prize Fellow Salvatore La Cavera said: “We believe its ability to measure the stiffness of a specimen, its bio-compatibility, and its endoscopic potential, all while accessing the nanoscale, are what set it apart. These features set the technology up for future measurements inside the body, towards the ultimate goal of minimally invasive point-of-care diagnostics.”
Can I read more about this?
Yes, you can – just go online and visit go.nature.com/3t8IMSH
