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IIT Guwahati Develops Nanotech-Based Device for Real-Time Cardiovascular Monitoring

Written by : Nikita Saha

January 19, 2025

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The technology, described as a "proof of concept for a point-of-care testing device," uses ultra-thin nanostructures, or nano rods, that are 10,000 times thinner than a human hair.

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have developed an innovative device capable of detecting cholesterol and triglyceride levels in real-time. The device, which is still in its early stages, could eventually be integrated with mobile phones to enable users to monitor their cardiovascular health on the go.

The technology, described as a "proof of concept for a point-of-care testing device," uses ultra-thin nanostructures, or nano rods, that are 10,000 times thinner than a human hair. This advanced method combines nanotechnology with molecular detection techniques to improve the accuracy and reliability of health diagnostics.

Cholesterol and triglycerides are critical to heart health. Cholesterol, transported by lipoproteins—high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)—can influence cardiovascular health. HDL, known as "good" cholesterol, helps remove cholesterol from the body, while excessive LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, can cause plaque buildup in arteries, leading to high blood pressure, clots, or heart attacks. Elevated triglycerides can also cause health issues, including heart disease and diabetes.

The researchers at IIT Guwahati tested specially designed silver-gold nanorods, which proved to be significantly more effective than gold nanorods alone. These nanorods possess a property called localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), allowing them to interact strongly with light. The combination of silver and gold makes the nanorods 20 to 50 times more efficient at amplifying signals, enabling advanced detection methods such as Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS).

Traditional blood tests, although reliable, require laboratory settings, making them time-consuming and non-portable. The IIT Guwahati research team, led by Dr Mitali Basak, Prof. Dipankar Bandyopadhyay, and Prof Harshal B. Nemade, sought to address this limitation by combining nanotechnology and molecular detection for faster, more precise, and portable testing.

Prof Bandyopadhyay explained how the innovation integrates nanoparticles with enzymes, such as lipase and cholesterol oxidase (QOX), to enable quick and affordable detection of LDL, HDL, VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein), and triglycerides.

These enzymes are stabilized on a substrate using Raman linkers, specialized molecules that enhance signal detection by attaching to the nanoparticle surface. When blood interacts with the sensor, it generates an enhanced Raman scattering signal that directly correlates with the concentration of biomarkers in the blood.

Reportedly, the technology has already been patented, and clinical trials were conducted with around 50 patients. Prof Bandyopadhyay aims to keep the test costs between INR 15 and INR 20, making it affordable for patients. He emphasized the device's potential for use in remote areas, where access to pathology labs is limited. The portable device, similar to glucometers and blood pressure monitors, could allow doctors to perform on-site tests for cholesterol, liver, and kidney panels directly in their clinics.

''With the help of a phlebotomist, blood samples could be analyzed on-site, enabling early detection of health issues and providing timely guidance to patients about potential risks, especially for lifestyle-related diseases,” Prof Bandyopadhyay added.

Stay tuned for more such updates on Digital Health News.


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