Volatile Organic Compound-Based Diagnostic Systems And Methods

Abstract

Provided are devices and methods to detect the presence of volatile organic compounds related to the presence of a disease state in a biological sample. The devices may include a detection moiety such as a polynucleoide in electronic communication with a semiconductor such as graphene or a carbon nanotube.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 effecting release of one or more volatile organic compounds from a biological sample into an atmosphere; contacting the atmosphere and a detection moiety in electronic communication with a semiconductor; and   detecting a signal related to the contacting, detecting a change in signal related to the contacting, or both.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein detecting a signal, a change in signal, or both is related to exposing the device to the atmosphere. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the effecting comprises heating, reducing pressure, adding an agent that encourages one or more volatile organic compounds from the sample into the atmosphere, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal, the change in signal, or both, is related to interaction between a volatile organic compound and the detection moiety. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising comparing the signal related to the contacting, the change in signal related to the contacting, or both, to a standard. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising correlating the signal, the change in signal, or both, to a disease state. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the disease state is selected from the group consisting of: a gastrointestinal disorder, and an infection. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the disease state comprises cancer. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said cancer is selected from the group consisting of: ovarian cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer.