La Croix-Rousse hospital in Lyon, France has tested a breathalyser, which requires breathing into a tube, to detect the presence of Covid-19 within seconds.
Since early June, the device was tested in several individuals, among whom approximately 20 had the infection while the others did not, reported Reuters.
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Based on detecting the chemical compounds present in exhaled air, the breathalyser is intended to provide a non-invasive and accurate detection of Covid-19.
The breathalyser was provided by the Swiss manufacturer Tofwerk.
La Croix-Rousse hospital National Centre of Scientific Research director of research Christian George was quoted by Reuters as saying: “It’s the same principle as a classic breathalyser test. The machine will register the molecules in the exhaled air and then detects the traces of the sickness.”
La Croix-Rousse hospital intensive care head Jean-Christophe Richard said that the aim is to have the device fully operational by the end of this year.
Richard noted: “This type of quick test means we will have the results straightaway and can then move the patient to the right area of the hospital. As we now have a few efficient treatments, the quicker we can diagnose the quicker we can treat them.”
The findings collected at the hospital are being subjected to mathematical analysis in order to identify molecular biomarkers of Covid-19. Initial trends from the analysis are expected to be available later this month or in the near future.
These trends will then be confirmed using new samples from patients and healthy individuals.
