Source: ProfusaAs the world prepares for the spread of the coronavirus, the U.S. military is investigating the feasibility of a subcutaneous (under the skin) biosensor that can alert its host to signs that the body is fighting off an infection, up to two weeks before symptoms emerge.

The United States Department of Defense is currently funding a biosensor from Profusa that will potentially be used to detect when the host’s body starts to fight off an infection like the flu before symptoms such as coughing are evident to the biosensor’s host.

According to developers, the biosensor includes two components: a 3 mm hydrogel string containing a color-changing molecule and a light-transmitting electronic device.

The hydrogel string is injected via syringe under the host’s skin where its accompanying molecule will change color as soon as the host begins to fight off an infection. Meanwhile, the electronic component attaches to the host’s skin and transmits light through the skin to detect color changes occurring within the molecule. If a color change is detected, it will serve as a warning to the host that he or she needs to contact a healthcare professional.

The device is on track for FDA approval next year.