Stress measure device: American engineers have developed a common device using specially designed dental floss that can easily measure stress -causing hormone cortisol,. Chronic stress may lead to increased blood pressure and heart disease, decrease in immune work, depression and anxiety. This study has been published in the Journal of ACS Applied Materials and Interface.
How this device could be possible
Sameer Sonkusale, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, gave information about this device. Told, “It started in collaboration with many departments of Tufts University. Stress and other connect problems affect the solution and learning ability, it was investigated.” He further said, “We did not want measurement to create an additional source of stress, so we thought, can we create a sensing device that becomes part of your day-to-day routine? Cortisol is a stress marker found in saliva, so Flossing is a natural option to take a daily sample.”
How this device works
Their design of salivary-sensitive dental floss looks similar to a common floss pick, which has two sharp stunned cords spread from a flat plastic handle, which is your index finger-shaped shape. In the floss, saliva is picked through a very narrow channel. The fluid is drawn into a pick handle and an enclosed tab, where it spreads into the electrode that detects cortisol.
Can be used in many ways
Cortisol on the electrode is identified with a remarkable technique developed about 30 years ago, which is called electropolimarized molecular impregnated polymer (EMIP). EMIP mold can be used in many other ways. Any dental floss sensor can be made that can detect other molecules found in saliva, such as estrogen, marker for glucose or cancer for monitoring of estrogen, diabetes to monitor fertility.
These serious diseases will be able to monitor
Researchers said that there is also a possibility of detecting several biomarkers in saliva at the same time for more accurate monitoring of stress, heart disease, cancer and other conditions. The accuracy of cortisol sensors is equal to the best performing sensor in the market or under development. People can use this device at home and without any training. Currently, Sonkusale and their colleagues are making a startup to bring this product to the market.
