Simple Device to Determine Heart Attack
Troponin is a complex of regulatory proteins that figures in muscle contraction, such as that of a beating heart. With a heart attack, troponin is released into the blood stream, and Korean scientists have created a thermometer-like device that shows troponin levels in blood, indicating a myocardial infarction. Here is the description: “The device uses platinum nanoparticles that have antibodies on their surface that are attracted to troponin to separate the protein from the blood serum. After hydrogen peroxide is added to capsule with the troponin stuck to the glass walls, it is capped and a transparent tube with a drop of ink is stuck to the top. The pressure within the capsule begins to go up as the hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water and oxygen. The increase in this pressure, which is measured by the distance the ink drop moves up the tube, indicates the amount of platinum nanoparticles, and hence troponin, in the solution.” MORE
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