UT Dallas Researchers Create Handheld Device to Detect Fentanyl in Seconds

Thursday - February 8 2024, 21:19 UTC - 9 months ago

A team of researchers at UT Dallas has developed a handheld electrochemical sensor that can accurately detect fentanyl in urine within seconds, with a 98% accuracy rate. This groundbreaking device eliminates the need for time-consuming lab analysis and could be used for rapid screening in various situations. The team is also working to expand its capabilities to detect fentanyl in saliva, which could greatly inform treatment decisions for overdose cases. The ultimate goal is to develop a test for fentanyl in saliva, which could greatly improve emergency response efforts. The sensor works by using a molecular cagelike trap with naloxone as the “cheese” to capture fentanyl. This technology has the potential to make a significant impact in the fight against the ongoing opioid crisis.

In the face of the ongoing opioid crisis, researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have created a groundbreaking handheld electrochemical sensor that can accurately detect fentanyl in urine within seconds. This technology has the potential to save countless lives by providing a fast and reliable method for detecting the potent synthetic opioid, which has been responsible for an alarming number of overdose deaths in recent years.

The prototype of this revolutionary sensor was recently published in the prestigious journal American Chemical Society Applied Materials & Interfaces. What sets this device apart is its ability to detect even trace amounts of fentanyl with an impressive accuracy rate of 98%, all while being compact and easily portable. It eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming lab analysis, making it ideal for rapid screening in situations where every second counts.

The lead researcher and corresponding author of the study, Dr. Shalini Prasad, explained the motivation behind this groundbreaking technology. “There is an urgent demand for an easy-to-use, portable, miniaturized device that can detect fentanyl with high specificity and share results immediately to an internet-connected device. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of a highly accurate sensor to detect fentanyl within seconds.” .

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is about 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, making it highly addictive and dangerous. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, illegally-made fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs, and even a minuscule amount as small as 2 milligrams can be lethal. Sadly, more than 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl, highlighting the urgent need for better methods of detection.

This sensor is a precursor to a much-needed test to detect fentanyl in other substances such as saliva. Currently, the sensor can detect fentanyl in urine, but the team of researchers is working towards expanding its capabilities to test saliva samples. This could be a game-changer for first responders when making split-second decisions in life-or-death overdose cases. The ability to quickly determine the presence of fentanyl in saliva would greatly inform treatment plans and could potentially save lives.

Although the technology is still in its early stages, the researchers have already set their sights on a long-term goal. They plan to advance this technology to detect fentanyl in hair, which could provide evidence of fentanyl use for a longer period of time. Additionally, the ultimate aim is to develop a test that can detect fentanyl in saliva, as this could provide invaluable information for first responders in emergency situations. All of this research has the potential to significantly improve the way fentanyl overdoses are handled and treated.

The sensor works by using an electrochemical sensor, which generates electrical signals based on chemical reactions. However, detecting fentanyl posed a unique challenge, as it is a nonvolatile compound, meaning it does not produce an electrochemical signature. To overcome this hurdle, the researchers incorporated a molecular cagelike structure, which they compare to a mousetrap. This is made up of various substances, including gold nanoparticles, with naloxone acting as the “cheese.” .

Bioengineering researcher Dr. Anirban Paul, first author of the study, used reverse engineering to find a solution. He decided to incorporate naloxone, a lifesaving medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, as part of the sensor. Through computational testing, the team discovered that naloxone could be used as a “magnet” to draw fentanyl to it, creating an effective trap to capture the elusive compound.

“Naloxone is used to decrease the power of fentanyl,” Paul explained. “To develop this sensor, we used that power of the morphine mimicking molecule to capture the molecule.” .

This revolutionary sensor has the potential to make a huge impact in the fight against the opioid crisis. Its compact and portable design, coupled with its speed and accuracy, make it a powerful tool for detecting fentanyl in various substances. With further advancements, this technology could greatly improve the outcomes of overdose cases and save countless lives. The team of researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas has taken a significant step towards addressing the fentanyl epidemic, and their work will undoubtedly continue to make a difference in the lives of many.