Diamond Sensor Breakthrough Aids Doctors in Detecting Spread of Cancer

In a significant breakthrough, scientists at the University of Warwick have created a handheld device that uses diamonds to detect the spread of cancer. The device is designed to trace tiny magnetic particles injected into the body, offering a non-toxic alternative to the radioactive tracers and dyes currently used in hospitals.

Metastasis, the process of cancer cells spreading from the original tumor to other parts of the body, is one of the most serious challenges in cancer treatment. Doctors often rely on tests to determine if the cancer has reached the lymph nodes, which can guide decisions about surgery and further care.

The new diamond-based sensor, described in the journal Physical Review Applied, is capable of identifying the magnetic tracer fluid injected into a tumor. This fluid, made up of iron oxide nanoparticles, travels through the body alongside cancer cells, revealing whether they have reached the lymph nodes.

The researchers say the device is highly sensitive, able to detect just one hundredth of the typical dose of magnetic tracer fluid. Its compact design, with a diamond measuring only half a cubic millimeter alongside a small permanent magnet, means it can be used by hand in operating rooms, without the need for bulky electronics.

The breakthrough was made possible by the nitrogen vacancy centers inside the diamond, which allow it to detect small changes in the magnetic field and give the diamond a distinctive pink color. The researchers believe this technology could have applications beyond medicine, including in spacecraft and fusion power.