UK scientists develop probe to find lung infections

A new probe has been developed that can enter human lungs and seek infections; a world first.

The development has been the work of scientists at Edinburgh, Herriot-Watt and Bath Universities, and has been unveiled at a US science meeting in Texas.

The probe is able to journey through airways into the lung and spot bacteria using a tiny onboard camera.

It is a case of life imitating art as the idea was based on the 1960 film Fantastic Voyage, in which a submarine is shrunk to microscopic size to enable it to enter a human body. 

The new device has been named Proteus in tribute to the sub.

Before the probe enters, a chemical is sprayed into the lung that reacts with light shone on it by the probe if an infection is present.

The new technique will speed up the detection of lung infections, therefore enabling medical professionals to respond with the appropriate medication days sooner. 

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