SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A MEDICAL CONDITION IN A SUBJECT

摘要

A method for training an animal to detect a condition, such as cancer, in a human or animal individual. A training sample is presented to the animal to be trained where, the training sample is a gaseous sample or vapor generated by a cell population associated with the predetermined condition. The population of cells associated with the predetermined condition may be, for example, a culture of an established cell line associated with the predetermined condition. Simultaneously with, or subsequent to, presentation of the training sample, the animal is subjected to an adverse stimulus, such as an electric shock. The animal is allowed animal to perform a first predetermined response in order to avoid, escape or terminate the adverse stimulus. The invention also provides a method for detecting a condition, such as cancer, in an individual in which a trained animal performs the predetermined response upon exposure to vapors from a body fluid of an individual affected with the condition.

主权项

1. A method for training an animal to detect a predetermined condition in a human or animal individual comprising:
(a) presenting to an animal a training sample, the training sample being gaseous sample or vapor generated by a cell population associated with the predetermined condition; (b) simultaneously with, or subsequent to, presentation of the training sample, subjecting the animal to an adverse stimulus; (c) allowing the animal to perform a first predetermined response in order to avoid, escape or terminate the adverse stimulus; and (d) optionally presenting to the animal a control sample, the control sample being a gaseous sample or vapor generated by a cell population not associated with the predetermined condition and not subjecting the animal to an adverse stimulus simultaneously with, or subsequent to, presentation of the control sample.