the multinational technological and entertainment Sony has developed a device that helps measure the sense of smell and that they hope can be used in hospitals for the early detection of dementia.
The device produces 40 different scents instantly when selected by the operator through an app, which test subjects can also use to indicate the scent they think is correct.
Until now, this process was carried out using a paper soaked in liquid; however, the new system developed by the Japanese company is equipped with deodorization functions, which prevents leaks or mixtures of odors that confuse the user.
Sony introduces a new device that performs a smell test to detect dementia at an early stage https://t.co/i8sP9KShtx
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A person’s sense of smell worsens in the early stages of dementia or other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, so they hope that the device can help diagnose them, although uses related to the COVID-19.
In addition to academic research, the device could be used for marketing purposes to learn the olfactory preferences of users.
“Although the demand for olfactory measurement in the field of otorhinolaryngology is increasing, such as olfactory disorders associated with coronavirus infections, the number of medical institutions that can perform olfactory measurement is limited,” said Professor Takaki Miwa, of Kanagawa University in a statement from Sony.
