The world’s first device to be worn on the wrist that can detect protein levels in the bloodstream that are associated with heart attack and blocked arteries has been developed.
The device, called the “troponin sensor,” can accurately confirm both conditions with 90% accuracy in just five minutes after a heart event.
The creation was detailed at the annual session of the American College of Cardiology, with experts showcasing the troponin sensor after testing it in several institutions. The device works by detecting a protein called troponin I that is released into the blood after a heart event. While the protein test can take time, the troponin sensor can confirm a heart attack or blocked arteries immediately. This allows doctors to quickly start appropriate treatment or further tests, potentially saving lives.
The device is worn on the wrist and uses infrared light to detect the troponin I protein as it passes through the arteries. It can detect the protein as it passes from the bloodstream into the arteries, which occurs immediately after a heart event. The device was developed by Dr. Partho Sengupta and his colleagues at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey, and has the potential to revolutionize emergency care for heart patients.
