New surgical knife can detect cancer--with smoke signals

A new experimental "smart" knife can help surgeons determine they've removed all cancerous tissue during surgery, according to doctors from London's Imperial College, making an announcment Wednesday. "Surgeons typically use knives that vaporize tumors as they cut, producing a sharp-smelling smoke. The new knife analyzes the smoke and can instantly signal whether the tissue is cancerous or healthy," according to an article in USA TodayZoltan Takats of Imperial College realized the this smoke could contain clues when compared the a library of smoke "signatures" from cancerous and non-cancerous tissues. The new knife would cost $380,486, but if it is commercialized, the price is likely to go down. Article