Owlstone breath sampling biopsy system scoops UK’s biggest engineering award

Developed by Cambridge firm Owlstone Medical, the ReCIVA breath sampler analyses human breath samples for the unique chemical ‘biomarkers’ of a variety of diseases.  The levels of these so-called Volatile Organic Compounds change at the very earliest stages of disease, meaning that the method could lead to earlier diagnosis of diseases such as cancer.

Breath biomarkers also have the potential to revolutionise the way medicine is prescribed, as they could be used to monitor drug effectiveness and match patients to the correct treatment, and cut healthcare costs by lowering drug wastage.

According to Owlstone the technology has the potential to save hundreds of thousands of lives and $1.5 billion in healthcare costs globally.

Inspired by discussions with more than 100 experts from design engineers to clinicians, the technology uses Owlstone’s microchip chemical sensor technology (FAIMS) to detect specific disease biomarkers with a high level of sensitivity.