The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) has introduced the prototype of a breathalyser that can detect those infected with Covid-19 with 97% precision.
The innovative device has been on display at “Thailand Research Expo 2022” — an event prepared by the Higher Education, Technology, Research and Advancement Ministry’s NRCT along with other research networks nationwide that ended upon Friday.
NRCT director Wiparat De-ong said the particular outbreak of Covid-19 called for new actions to curb tranny of the disease.
The NRCT then funded the development of the new medical device which was jointly created by Radio Control Airplane Modeller Sport Association (RCSA) President Pisit Mitkuakun and groups from Rajavithi Hospital, Mahidol University and the private sector.
Mr Pisit said the model can help screen to get Covid-19 without needing the nasal swab or blood or saliva tests.
With its sensitivity plus specificity, the device can issue an accurate result in five minutes, he mentioned, adding it will cost about 10 baht.
Tiersidh Nasomphan, a researcher of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Mahidol University, said the device can discern between the scents of an infected plus non-infected person.
The device is an enhanced version of the earlier tool that can detect diabetes through people’s breath. That device has been in use for 10 years, he or she said.
It is likely to store before year’s end, he added.