Graphene sensors may help to detect sepsis earlier in critically ill patients

The research, published in Sensor and Actuators: B.Chemical, shows that Integrated Graphene’s Gii-Sens electrochemical sensor can improve accuracy in the diagnosis of hyperlactatemia, a common complication in intensive care units.

Hyperlactatemia results from a lack of oxygen reaching tissues or as a result of an underlying condition, such as advanced liver disease. Untreated hyperlactatemia can lead to lactate acidosis, which causes severe illness and can be fatal.

Reliable real-time lactate detection through single-point or continuous monitoring could help to improve the outcomes of patients in critical care and could hasten the diagnosis of sepsis in critically ill patients.

Based in Stirling, Integrated Graphene’s flagship product, Gii-Sens is a biosensing electrode for diagnostics which outperforms traditional sensing materials by 10–100x, allowing for cost effective, lab precision testing within minutes at the point of need. Other applications of the technology include quality control in the food production industry, and wearable lactate sensors which can be used to monitor an athlete’s performance in real time.

Dr Marco Caffio, Integrated Graphene’s Co-Founder and CSO, said: “Lactate is a naturally occurring biomarker which everyone produces as a byproduct of exercising. For most people it is easily processed by the body and will cause no major harm, apart from a little cramp if you overexert yourself.

“However, for some critically ill patients and those with underlying conditions it can be a sign of a range of other issues, some of which, like sepsis, can be fatal. Having a robust way of monitoring lactate levels is important in ensuring the best possible outcomes for these patients. The findings of this study demonstrate Gii’s reliable performance and potential to save lives.”