11 Nov Biomedical LIBS microscope in a hospital
Ablatom, a startup that emerged from the French Institut Lumière Matière (ILM), is a specialist in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The company developed the biomedical LIBS microscope, ELM-XS-MED, that is now at the Grenoble Alpes University Hospital. According to Ablatom, the device, specifically designed for the analysis of patient biopsies, is the first in the world to be implemented and used in a hospital environment. Using LIBS technology, it enables extremely precise, rapid, and contactless chemical analysis of human tissue. This technological innovation promises to significantly enhance diagnostics for patients potentially exposed to toxic agents and accelerate the understanding of chronic diseases such as cancer.
Florian Trichard, President and Founder of Ablatom, said, “This breakthrough it is line with our mission to provide disruptive analytical solutions to major societal issues.” Ablatoms’ first LIBS microscope ELM-XS-I is already deployed in the Physical Analysis Division at IFP Energies Nouvelles (Solaize, France) where it is dedicated to the analysis of materials in New Energy Technologies (batteries, plastics, catalysts, and more). “After this world-first, it was natural for Ablatom to pursue our commitment with this biomedical LIBS microscope. We will continue to impact key sectors such as healthcare, energy or critical resources by developing disruptive tools to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.”
The cutting-edge instrument will be at the forefront of numerous research projects in pulmonology, dermatology, and oncology, as well as in the development of medical nanoparticles for preclinical laboratory or regulatory studies. Ultimately, it is expected to facilitate faster, more accurate, and comprehensive diagnostics while improving patient care for those exposed to environmental risks.
Focusing a very brief laser pulse to sample a fraction of material, leads to the formation of a plasma.
Image: Ablatom
How LIBS works
LIBS is a fully optical analytical technique that reveals the chemical composition of any state of matter (solid, liquid or gas) in just a few milliseconds. It works by focusing a very brief laser pulse to sample a fraction of material, leading to the formation of a plasma. Analyzing the optical emissions from this plasma allows for the detection, identification, mapping, and quantification of the chemical elements in the material. Its key competitive advantages are:
- Ramples, excites and detects in a single process
- Reveals the chemical composition of matter almost instantaneously
- Detects both endogenous and exogenous elements, including light elements
- Allows large-area mapping on a cellular scale
Source and images: www.ablatom.com
