A blood clot absorbs near-infra-red light differently to normal brain tissue and the signal is bounced back to the scanner and shows up as a red oval on the scan. The CT is always the better alternative, however many hospitals in India can't afford them and, unlike the infrascanner, they are anything but portable. Professor Alok Sharma, the neurosurgeon, who is testing the hand-held brain scanner has found a 98% accuracy for showing blood clots or haematomas

Rapid detection of these injuries with the infrascanner would mean patients who need specialist treatment could be identified before it is too late.

The use of the infrascanner is not limited to the Developing word. Its portability would mean that it could be carried by paramedics to the scene of accidents and used to prioritise the injured.

The American Navy is reported to have invested up to $1 million in the device. They have identified its potential benefits in situations of war. particulary in situations at sea when it would aid in deciding about evacuating the injured.

The infrascanner although not a replacement and never will be for CT scans it  could still prove to be worthy technology. The equipment is most likely to be licenced in India in the next year. The outcome of further testing is awaited.

INFRASCANNER^® 

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Show/Hide comments

Show/Hide comment form

Tags

See All Tags Add New Tag...

Add as favourites (0) * Quote this article on your site