Pocket-sized device detects liver issues in under three minutes

Hyderabad: Researchers from BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus and Purdue University have developed a portable handheld device that can detect liver-related health issues in under three minutes, potentially making liver testing faster and more accessible outside hospitals and diagnostic labs.The study, published in IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, focuses on a compact electrochemical sensor that measures bilirubin, a key marker used to assess liver function. Bilirubin is produced when red blood cells break down, and elevated levels can indicate conditions such as jaundice, liver disease, or blood-related disorders.The device, developed by researchers at the MEMS, Microfluidics and Nanoelectronics (MMNE) Lab at BITS Pilani Hyderabad, is roughly twice the size of a smartphone and is designed for point-of-care use. Unlike conventional testing methods that require blood samples to be sent to laboratories, the new system can provide results quickly using a small serum sample and wirelessly transmit the readings to a smartphone.According to the researchers, the system uses a disposable sensor coated with gold nanoparticles and a special nafion-chitosan membrane. This layer helps identify bilirubin accurately while blocking substances such as proteins, uric acid and ascorbic acid that could interfere with the readings.“The gap we’re addressing isn’t technical sophistication, but access,” said professor Sanket Goel. “A nurse in a rural primary health centre can use this device reliably. It fits in a pocket and connects to a phone. With suitable surface chemistry modifications, the same system could potentially be adapted for detecting multiple disease biomarkers in future healthcare applications.”The platform includes onboard power management, signal-filtering systems, wireless data transmission and a touchscreen interface that allows users to operate the device without external software. It can run on a rechargeable battery or direct power supply.Explaining the sensing mechanism, researcher Nishchitha N K said the nafion-chitosan layer was crucial to the device’s accuracy. “It actively attracts bilirubin while rejecting proteins and small molecules that would otherwise corrupt the signal. Getting that selectivity right, especially at physiological pH, was the critical piece,” she said.The prototype has currently reached Technology Readiness Level 4, meaning it has been validated in laboratory conditions, with clinical trials expected in the future.Professor Wenzhou Wu said portable liver diagnostics have lagged behind other monitoring systems. “Bilirubin is a well-understood biomarker. This device is really about closing a deployment gap rather than discovering new chemistry,” he said, adding that the platform could later be adapted to detect other liver-related biomarkers.Researchers said the device demonstrated strong agreement with standard clinical methods, with a low detection limit and reliable repeatability, making it promising for home monitoring, emergency diagnostics and healthcare access in remote areas.