Artificial nose could revolutionize brain tumor diagnosis at University of Tampere

Timely identification of brain tumors is essential for initiating treatment, and a recent doctoral thesis from the University of Tampere proposes that an artificial nose could play a key role in this process. Medical Licentiate Ilkka Haapala conducted this research, which highlights the current challenges faced in diagnostics. Often, tumor samples need to be sent abroad for analysis, prolonging the diagnosis period.

Brain tumors are typically treated through surgery, with additional treatments often including chemotherapy and radiation. The variety of tumors affects treatment approaches.

So, what is this artificial nose? Haapala’s dissertation investigates the applicability of differential ion mobility spectrometry (DMS) for rapid brain tumor diagnosis. The technique is likened to the process of smelling smoke, hence the term “artificial nose.” The DMS device utilized in the study was designed and manufactured by a startup company in Tampere.

In the research, patient-derived frozen brain tumor samples and lab-grown tumor tissues were burned using either an electric scalpel or laser, with the resulting smoke analyzed by the DMS device. “The artificial nose is the size of a typical desktop computer’s central unit, with results available in seconds. Furthermore, the use of burning tools in neurosurgery is common, generating ample smoke to analyze,” Haapala noted in a research statement.

The results indicate that the artificial nose can accurately distinguish the most common types of brain tumors and can identify tumor changes critical for patient prognosis. Research will continue in actual brain tumor surgeries at the Tampere University Hospital, where Haapala practices as a neurosurgeon. The doctoral defense is scheduled for October 11 at the University of Tampere.