quick and non invasive medical analysis using infrared fiber sensor for chronic disease and tumors diagnostics. – AMNIFIR

AMNIFIR project is led by DIAFIR, a start-up company created further to the FIR-MED project of the “ANR emergence” program.
The mission of the company is to provide minimally invasive and quick diagnostic systems. To do so, it develops a system based upon mid infrared spectroscopy, performed remotely using a patented optical fiber sensor. The absorption spectrum is typical of the metabolism of the biological element measured. It is therefore a powerful tool to detect diseases that impact significantly the metabolic status, such as chronic liver diseases or tumors.
DIAFIR develops a CE marked system, easy to use for a non-specialist. It is made of a biocompatible single use sensor, a hardware that can read mid infrared spectrum and a software to sort the spectrum for the diagnostic purpose. It requires a few minutes contact between the medium of interest (liquid or tissue) and the fiber to get the spectrum. It is instantly classified using the algorithm and a diagnostic is delivered to the physician. The fiber allows also to make in situ analysis.
The project has two major objectives
- Lift the last barriers to bring NonAlcoholic SteatoHepatitis diagnostic using blood serum to the market. NASH is a common liver disease, with no other established diagnostic than liver biopsy, an invasive procedure. To do so, we will have to confirm and adjust our current algorithm using both human and animal model.
- Build up proof of concept for infrared fiber as a tumor detection tool. We will work on urine analysis to detect traces of bladder tumors, and contacts on resected colon polyps to identify adenomas.

To get there, we keep working with our historical partners, Glass and Ceramics laboratory of Rennes 1 university, and INSERM U 991 iron and liver team, as well as Rennes university IRMAR statistic department. To strengthen our biological knowledge and have access to sample in the pathologies of interest, we extend our partnership to Rennes hospital urology, gastroenterology and clinical trial departments, as well as INSERM image and signal analysis laboratory LTSI U 1099.
We plan to reach the commercial stage for a non-invasive NASH diagnostic, as well as to collect solid elements to set up the basis of an also minimally invasive diagnostic for colon and/or bladder cancer.