Issue 20, 2015

The application of FAIMS gas analysis in medical diagnostics

Abstract

There is an ever increasing need to develop new tools to aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of human diseases. Such tools will ultimately reduce the cost of healthcare by identifying disease states more quickly and cheaply than current practices. One method showing promise is the analysis of gas-phase biomarkers from human breath, urine, sweat and stool that reflect bodily metabolism. Analysis of these volatiles by GC MS requires specialised infra-structure and staff, making it unsuitable for a clinical setting. Point of care sensor based technologies such as eNoses often suffer from stability and sensitivity issues. Field-Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS) has potential to fulfil this clinical need. In this paper we review the medical need, the technology, sampling methods and medical evidence thus far. We conclude with reflecting on future developmental steps necessary to bring the device into medical practice.

Graphical abstract: The application of FAIMS gas analysis in medical diagnostics

Article information

Article type
Minireview
Submitted
01 May 2015
Accepted
16 Jul 2015
First published
17 Jul 2015

Analyst, 2015,140, 6775-6781

Author version available

The application of FAIMS gas analysis in medical diagnostics

J. A. Covington, M. P. van. der Schee, A. S. L. Edge, B. Boyle, R. S. Savage and R. P. Arasaradnam, Analyst, 2015, 140, 6775 DOI: 10.1039/C5AN00868A

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