Scientist Invents Hand-Held Breath Monitor to Detect Flu
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Dr. Perena Gouma, a professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, has published an article in the journal Sensors that describes her invention of a hand-held breath monitor designed to detect the flu virus. Gouma’s device is similar to the breathalyzers used by police officers when they suspect a driver of being under the influence of alcohol. A patient exhales into the device, which uses semiconductor sensors similar to those in a household carbon monoxide detector. The sensors can isolate biomarkers associated with the flu virus and can indicate whether or not a patient has the flu.