National Taiwan University has developed the world's first device that is capable of detecting cancer and viral infections in just 12 minutes. The new technology can even be used to identify enterovirus 71.

National Taiwan University (NTU) has recently unveiled a self-developed device that is capable of detecting cancer and viral infections in just 12 minutes.

The device, called Vsensor, has shown an average 70% accuracy rate in detecting diseases such as liver, lung and cervical cancers, influenzas and sepsis, during a year of clinical testing.

Its accuracy rate even reaches 90% when detecting enterovirus 71.

Lin Shih-min, the professor of NTU, said that traditional detection, such as genetic testing, involves the application of optics technology to examine affected cells, which is time-consuming, expensive, and low in accuracy.

It usually takes three to five days for the result to come in, which may lead to delays in treatment.

Vsensor also overtakes the traditional methods in terms of testing cost.

The cost of traditional testing is around seven to eight thousand NT dollars and as for Vsensor, once it's massively produced, it is likely to be reduced to 500 NT dollars, making it more affordable for the public.

In the future, NTU hopes the application can be expanded to detect Rotavirus or evaluate GOT and GPT activities.

The sensor is expected to be widely used in hospitals and clinics in around six months at the soonest.