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Electro-Scalpel "Sniffs Out" Tumors

Posted by samzenpus on from the smells-like-health dept.

TechReviewAl writes "Researchers in Germany have developed a surgical tool that uses chemical analysis to identify cancerous tissue as a surgeon cuts. The instrument uses a modified mass spectrometer — a device that uses ionized molecules to perform very accurate chemical analysis — to pinpoint tumors so that surgeons can make sure they remove everything. Mass spectrometry has been used to study biopsied biological samples before, but never used in-situ. The key was to harness ionized gas already produced by the electro-scalpel."

4 of 43 comments (clear)

  1. How far we've come by cjfs · · Score: 2, Funny

    "A high-voltage nitrogen jet is not compatible with the human body," says Takáts.

    Well, I'm glad we've gotten past those experiments.

    1. Re:How far we've come by Thanshin · · Score: 2, Funny

      "A high-voltage nitrogen jet is not compatible with the human body," says Takáts.

      Well, I'm glad we've gotten past those experiments.

      Indeed. You got here just in time for our next experiment.

      We'll perform this simple apendectomy. WITH A CHAINSAW!

  2. Good question! by GameboyRMH · · Score: 2, Funny

    If the tumor is found to have a vulnerable exhaust port, it could revolutionize cancer treatment!

    --
    "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
  3. Re:That is freakin' brilliant. by sconeu · · Score: 2, Funny

    And when it finds healthy tissue, the computer says, "IT'S NOT A TUMAH!"

    --
    General Relativity: Space-time tells matter where to go; Matter tells space-time what shape to be.