Created a portable device for detecting drugs in the body by fingerprint
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Scientists from the UK have developed a portable device for detecting drugs in the body on a fingerprint. Such devices are planned to be supplied to the traffic police for the rapid diagnosis of intoxication among drivers.
The device was developed by scientists from the company Intelligent Fingerprinting, based on the University of East Anglia in Norwich. It is a miniature detector that detects the metabolites of narcotic substances that are released with sweat through the pores on the fingers.
The device processes sweat, which is collected by applying a finger, gold nanoparticles coated with antibodies. These antibodies bind to certain products of drug processing in the body. With this binding activated "attached" to antibodies fluorescent paint, indicating the reception of narcotic drugs by the driver.
Initially, the device was designed to determine metabolites of nicotine, but was subsequently adapted for various drugs, including cocaine, methadone and marijuana.
At present, it is very difficult to prove driving a car in the state of drug intoxication: existing tests require blood sampling in a hospital environment, do not exclude contamination of bio-samples or are not sensitive enough. A new device can recognize nanograms of metabolites within a few minutes.
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