A cancer check can feel like waiting for a bus that never comes, especially outside major cities. In Manizales, a team at Universidad Nacional (UNAL) built a handheld tool that aims to speed up the first step, spotting warning signs sooner.
The device earned an official patent in 2025, and it was built to support doctors when checking for breast cancer and cervical cancer. The big idea is simple: Quicker screening support, closer to where patients already are.
A patent with a clear mission
UNAL Manizales received patent protection for a “bioelectrical impedance device for tissue characterization,” approved by Colombia’s Superintendence of Industry and Commerce through Resolution No. 71965.
The protection runs until May 29, 2042, which gives time for technology transfer, partnerships, and real-world testing beyond the lab. It is a long runway, not a short victory lap.
The project was led by Professor Belarmino Segura Giraldo, who described it as the result of roughly two decades of biomedical technology work focused on supporting diagnosis for these cancers.
How bioimpedance works, in plain English
Every tissue conducts electricity in its own way, like a unique fingerprint. Bioimpedance measures how tissue resists a tiny electrical signal, and that response can change when cells and membranes are altered by disease.
The device uses bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy, meaning it checks the response across frequencies, not just one quick reading. That helps create a richer pattern for health professionals to interpret.
This is not meant to replace biopsies or lab tests. It is meant to add a fast, noninvasive layer of support that can help decide who needs follow-up sooner.
The ’36 and 81 points’ upgrade
Classic bioimpedance setups often use low-density measurements, which can miss small problem areas. This design switched to high-density electrode arrays to cover more tissue in one go.
For the cervix, the system uses 36 electrode points; for the breast, it uses 81 points. The goal is to map a larger area with higher resolution during one contact.
After processing, the tool can show how different zones behave electrically, helping flag tissue with unusual patterns. It is a map for the clinician, not a final verdict by itself.
Why speed and access matter in Colombia
Cervical cancer remains a serious issue nationwide. Colombia has had close to 31,000 prevalent cases reported, which is why prevention and early detection keep showing up in public health discussions.
Breast cancer is also a major burden. One Colombian report tracked 125,446 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer up to April 30, 2025, highlighting why faster routes from screening to care matter.
Health authorities stress that cervical cancer can be prevented and treated when found early, using tools such as HPV vaccination and screening in adults. Faster first checks can help people reach those pathways on time.
Where this could fit
The device was designed to be portable, noninvasive, and usable without heavy equipment, which makes it attractive for rural areas and clinics with limited resources. It also aims to work without requiring highly specialized operator training.
A practical use case is a “one-visit” workflow, where a health professional gathers helpful data during the same appointment, then decides whether to send the patient to further tests. That can cut down on extra trips and lost time.
The next real test is adoption, clinical validation at scale, and building a path for procurement and maintenance. A patent opens the door, but the everyday impact comes when clinics can actually use the tool.
A smarter first step
This patent showed how engineering can tackle a very human problem, the slow, stressful waiting that comes with cancer suspicion. Faster support at the first contact can help patients move forward, instead of staying stuck in uncertainty.
If the device reaches more clinics, it could help narrow the gap between big-city hospitals and smaller communities. That is the kind of health equity win that feels simple, until it finally exists.