Handheld devices are capable of detecting cancer

To diagnose cancer, doctors use a complex series of tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT scans, biopsies or blood tests.

Because complex machines and equipment are required for these techniques and processes, they are only conducted in hospitals. However, a Korean startup is about to change this with their handheld cancer detection device.

According to the Korea Herald, the BBB startup has built a device to help blood test and detect cancer signs. BBB is making this device compact, portable so users can use it exclusively for them at home.

MarkB cancer detection device.

The device, called MarkB , has built-in sensors. The sensors will check for a small drop of blood and look for the presence of cancer signs.

When that process is complete, the device will tell the user the result and save a copy to store the information. After that, the data generated from the tests will be passed on to the doctors.

However, BBB does not currently view this handset as a diagnostic tool. Instead, the startup is preparing to launch the device as a prognostic tool. This means that MarkB will be available to postoperative cancer patients who need to be checked every 3 to 6 months.

In the future, BBB will make this product a portable cancer prevention tool for anyone who wants to check at home.

MarkB is easy to use. It works like blood sugar test kits. Users only need to prick a finger with a needle and lightly touch a piece of test paper.

This device requires only 30 micro-liters of blood to perform a test, using two techniques: separating the serum from red blood cells and separating the proteins produced by the cancer by electromagnetic waves.

Then, the density of the proteins produced by the cancer cell is identified by this device, and this section will help the doctor determine if the cancer cells present in the patient's body are transmitting. growing or shrinking.

Choi Jae-kyu, founder of BBB, said the ability to identify the density of MarkB's proteins is very accurate.

Currently, BBB devices can detect 5 common cancers, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, prostate cancer, uterine and ovarian cancer, and gastrointestinal cancer. like pancreas and gallbladder. This startup is hoping to expand this list in the coming time.

MarkB is expected to be available in the Korean market by the end of 2018. BBB is also hoping to bring its equipment to other markets in the future.

The company is currently working on MarkB's medical literature and test data approved by US and European medical device managers.