Breakthrough in Early Kidney Disease Detection
Jakarta, INTI – A groundbreaking health innovation shows great potential in detecting kidney disease at an early stage. Scientists have successfully developed a face mask that can identify signs of kidney failure simply by analyzing a person’s breath.
Published in a Leading Scientific Journal
This discovery is part of a study published on May 7, 2025, in the scientific journal ACS Sensors. In the research, scientists created a modified surgical mask equipped with a special breath sensor. The sensor is designed to detect specific gases linked to chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Expert Perspective on Medical Potential
According to Dr. Annalisa Noce, a hypertension and nephrology researcher at the University of Rome Tor Vergata in Italy, the mask has great potential to improve kidney disease management. “The application of this technology is expected to enhance the management of chronic kidney disease patients by facilitating timely identification of disease progression,” said Dr. Noce, as quoted by US News on Friday (May 9, 2025).
How the Technology Works
Healthy kidneys filter waste products from the body, but in people with kidney failure, this function is significantly impaired. As a result, compounds like ammonia build up in the body and can be detected through breath. To address this, the researchers developed a sensor that can detect ammonia and other gases associated with kidney disease. The sensor uses silver electrodes coated with a specially selected polymer that reacts selectively to target compounds.
Promising Results from Human Trials
The study involved tests on 100 participants, about half of whom had been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. The results were promising: the mask accurately identified the presence of kidney disease 84% of the time and correctly ruled it out in 88% of cases.
Beyond Detection: Assessing Disease Stage
What’s even more interesting is that the sensor data not only detected the presence of the disease but also helped estimate the stage of kidney disease a person was in. This information is crucial for faster and more accurate medical treatment.
A Step Toward Practical, Non-Invasive Diagnosis
This discovery opens new doors in the medical world, especially for the development of practical and affordable non-invasive diagnostic tools. If further developed, this technology has strong potential to be used in routine health screenings to detect kidney disease early.
Conclusion
The innovation of a breath-sensing mask for kidney failure detection demonstrates how health technology is continuously evolving toward more practical and preventive solutions. With the ability to detect disease through breath alone, this device holds strong potential as a non-invasive tool for routine screening, faster diagnosis, and improving the quality of life for patients with chronic kidney disease.