Pregnancy complications can now be identified using advanced nanotechnology!
The NanoVelcro Chip, a groundbreaking diagnostic tool, is set to revolutionise the detection and management of Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS) disorder. Originally developed to identify cancer cells, this microfluidic device has been adapted to detect placenta cells associated with PAS in a woman's blood.
How the NanoVelcro Chip Blood Test Works:
PAS disorders, which involve abnormal invasion of the placenta into the uterine wall, can lead to severe complications during delivery. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial but challenging, as current imaging techniques have limitations in sensitivity and specificity.
The NanoVelcro Chip takes advantage of the fact that placental trophoblasts sometimes enter maternal blood during pregnancy. In PAS, the number and characteristics of these circulating trophoblasts (cTBs) may change, reflecting abnormal placental invasion.
The chip, 1,000 times thinner than a human hair, is coated with antibodies that can identify certain cells. When maternal blood flows through the chip, the trophoblasts selectively bind to the chip surface due to antibody affinity, akin to "velcro." This process enriches and isolates trophoblasts from the vast majority of other blood cells.
After isolation, captured trophoblasts are stained and identified using immunofluorescence microscopy. Counting and characterising these cells enable estimation of their abundance. In PAS patients, the test shows a significantly higher count of cTBs compared to normal pregnancies.
Potential Improvements Under Investigation:
Researchers are working on several fronts to enhance the accuracy, usability, and clinical reliability of the NanoVelcro Chip test. They aim to increase sensitivity and specificity, develop automated and standardised cell detection, integrate molecular characterisation, conduct larger clinical trials, and miniaturise the chip design for potential bedside or outpatient use.
The NanoVelcro Chip blood test represents a significant leap forward in the early detection and management of PAS disorders. With ongoing improvements, it could provide a less invasive and more reliable diagnostic tool, potentially saving lives and improving maternal health.
The NanoVelcro Chip, originally designed for cancer cell detection, is now being utilized in the field of health-and-wellness and medical-conditions, particularly for the early and accurate diagnosis of Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS) disorders. This groundbreaking diagnostic tool, when implemented, may revolutionize the detection and management of PAS disorders, and in future, benefit from potential improvements in sensitivity, specificity, automation, standardization, integrated molecular characterization, and miniaturization for more accessible use. The science behind this innovation lies in the ability of the chip to isolate and identify placental trophoblasts from a woman's blood, which could significantly improve maternal health and potentially save lives.
