Device Checks for Cancer Cells During Surgery

A device that conducts an on-the-spot check for cancer cells during surgery is being developed by scientists at the Irish National Microelectronics Research Center (NMRC) of University College (Cork, Ireland; www.nmrc.ie).

During surgery, a surgeon will be able to collect a few cells and insert them into a device that looks like a computer chip. If cancerous, the cells will absorb a special dye, and light from a tiny on-chip laser will cause them to fluoresce. Noncancerous cells will not fluoresce. Cells of interest can be separated for a more detailed analysis.

The device is based on microfluidics, which deals with the manipulation of liquids in nano- and pico-liter amounts, as small as one 50-millionth of a drop of water. The fluid under study is placed in tiny channels, 50-100 microns wide. It can then be moved in various directions by air pressure or electrical forces. Tiny integrated components, such as semiconductor lasers and microvalves, can be placed on the chip to perform various functions. The processes can all be controlled by computer.

"The cancer-cell detection chip is to be reusable and silicon-based,” says Dr. Peter O'Brien, leader of the microfluidics team at the NMRC. "At a later stage, a disposable chip based on polymer could be designed for use by a general practitioner.”





Related Links:
Irish National Microelectronics Research Center