Tohoku University and Shimadzu Corp. have announced that they have developed a new testing system to detect the presence of the novel coronavirus from exhaled air.
The method is simpler than the current collection of nasal mucus and is as accurate as PCR testing. The two entities aim to submit the system for approval within a year.
When a patient breathes into one of the new devices, the breath is cooled and condensed into a liquid of about 1 milliliter. The liquid is then transferred to an analysis machine to check for proteins and genes specific to the virus. The results will be available in about an hour. It is also possible to check the risk of serious infection and other viruses.
The new method would greatly reduce the burden on patients compared with the conventional PCR test, which collects mucus by inserting a swab into the nose. Saliva tests also have drawbacks, such as the amount of time needed to obtain an acceptable sample.
A breath-based test would also reduce health risks and the burden of wearing protective clothing among medical workers, because in PCR testing, there is a risk of spreading an infection when a patient sneezes during the collection of mucus.
The university and Shimadzu plan to apply to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry for approval of the testing system within a year. In the future, the device will be miniaturized to allow patients to test their breath at home.
Prof. Takaaki Akaike of the university, who was involved in the development, said at a press conference, "I think it will be an innovative testing method alternative to PCR."
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