ScienceDaily (Nov. 19, 2007)
An article published today in the Science Daily reveals how a laser-based system developed by a Houston professor will be able to diagnose decompression sickness in seconds, before it becomes fatal or serious.
The US Navy has sponsored Kirill Larin, assistant professor of biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering, to develop the first optical non-invasive tool to test those most likely to suffer from decompression sickness, such as scuba divers, submariners and airplane pilots.
Decompression sickness affects those who experience sudden, drastic changes in the air or water pressure surrounding their bodies, and in the case of scuba divers it can be from various reasons – the main reason ascending too quickly and diving with dehydration. It can cause anything from joint pain – known as the bends – to seizure, stroke, coma and, in the most extreme cases, death.
Larin’s optical device can locate the presence of nitrogen gas – or microbubbles – in blood and tissues, which can restrict the flow of blood throughout the body and cause damage.
Read this article in the Science Daily at this link.
