Based on the principle that elevated levels of acetone are strongly linked to diabetes, a breath analyzer is now developed.

‘The hand-held device with an adsorbent polymer that can trap acetone from exhaled breath, then release it into a cavity where a laser probes its concentration.’

Breath
contains a complex mix of compounds, including water, carbon dioxide and
methane that can throw results off. Mass spectrometry can do the job, but it's
not very practical for point-of-care testing. Robert Peverall and colleagues
wanted to fill that void. 




The researchers created a hand-held device with an adsorbent polymer that can trap acetone from exhaled breath, then release it into a cavity where a laser probes its concentration. They tested the accuracy of the device on the breath of healthy subjects under different conditions, such as after overnight fasting or exercising, and compared results with mass spectrometry readings.
The measurements were a close match and covered a wide range of concentrations, including those that would suggest a patient has undiagnosed type-1 diabetes, or has problems controlling their blood glucose. Adding to the practicality of the device, the researchers say it could be re-used many times.
Source-Eurekalert