Accubits invent patents VolTrac: India’s leap in breath-based disease detection

In a landmark achievement for Indi a’s deep-tech ecosystem, Accubits Invent Pvt Ltd, based in Thiruvananthapuram, has been granted a patent for its revolutionary Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) sensor technology, marking a significant leap forward in the field of non-invasive healthcare diagnostics. The company’s flagship innovation, known as VolTrac, enables the detection of diseases such as cancer, tuberculosis, diabetes, and metabolic disorders through a simple breath test. The technology is capable of identifying disease-specific molecular patterns in under 90 seconds, with a lab-verified accuracy rate of 98.5 percent. With this development, India has been positioned among the global leaders in AI-powered, non-invasive diagnostic technology.

The patented technology, VolTrac, functions by analyzing Volatile Organic Compounds microscopic molecules naturally emitted through breath, sweat, and skin. Each disease alters the body’s metabolic activity, producing a distinct VOC signature. By identifying these molecular changes, VolTrac can detect diseases long before symptoms become visible. It was explained by company representatives that VolTrac operates like a breath analyser; however, instead of alcohol, diseases are detected through chemical signals present in human breath. It was further stated that by enabling early, painless diagnosis, millions of lives could be saved and healthcare costs substantially reduced across the world.

At the core of the innovation lies an ultra-sensitive chemi-resistive VOC sensor developed using proprietary nanomaterials. When a person exhales into the device, VOC molecules interact with the sensor’s active nanomaterial film, causing a measurable change in its electrical resistance. These changes are recorded as unique electronic signatures corresponding to specific VOCs. The data is then processed by built-in artificial intelligence algorithms that compare the results against a vast database of disease patterns. The final analysis, which is completed in less than two minutes, provides an accurate disease prediction displayed on the connected interface. This mechanism has been designed to function like an artificial sense of smell, an electronic nose that detects molecular differences far beyond human sensory limits.

The device has been engineered using a combination of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence , integrating layers of smart materials and microelectronics. The sensing film, composed of metal oxides or carbon nanocomposites, reacts to the presence of specific compounds. Additional catalytic coatings are applied to enhance selectivity, ensuring the sensor can differentiate between similar VOCs. Microelectronic circuits have been embedded for data processing and wireless transmission, creating a compact yet highly efficient diagnostic unit. The system’s sensitivity extends to parts-per-trillion levels, allowing the detection of trace VOCs linked to early-stage diseases.

The scope of the VOC sensing platform has also been expanded beyond human diagnostics. A companion product, DeTecX , has been developed by Accubits Invent for rapid air-quality and hygiene monitoring. The system identifies airborne pathogens and microbial contamination within 15 seconds and provides real-time color-coded alertsgreen for safety, yellow for caution, and red for high contamination risk. It was stated by company officials that the goal was to make healthcare environments safer through continuous air monitoring that could prevent infections before they spread. DeTecX has been designed for applications across hospitals, public institutions, industrial facilities, and even agricultural settings, where it can monitor crop health, detect plant stress, or ensure air hygiene in transportation systems.

Experts have indicated that several technological advancements could make VOC sensor systems even more powerful. The integration of multi-sensor arrays has been proposed to create a true electronic nose capable of detecting multiple diseases simultaneously. Enhanced AI algorithms based on deep learning could improve diagnostic accuracy by recognizing complex VOC patterns from diverse populations. The addition of biofunctional coatings, such as enzyme or protein layers, may increase the selectivity of sensors toward specific biomarkers. Furthermore, the adoption of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) could enable the miniaturization of VOC sensors, allowing them to be incorporated into wearable devices and smartphones for real-time personal health monitoring.

Despite the breakthrough, certain limitations still exist in the current model. Experts have noted that VOC sensors can sometimes suffer from cross-sensitivity, where similar compounds trigger overlapping responses, leading to inaccurate readings. Environmental factors such as humidity, temperature, and air pollution can influence measurement stability. Regular calibration is required to maintain long-term accuracy, and interpretation of results can be complex since VOC emissions vary between individuals based on genetics, diet, and environment. Manufacturing costs for advanced nanomaterial-based sensors also remain relatively high, though they are expected to decrease with mass production.

The long-term vision of the company has been described as the creation of a universal olfactory AI system, a digital nose capable of predicting potential health risks before symptoms arise. The system is envisioned as a fusion of biochemical sensing and machine learning, ultimately forming a global predictive health infrastructure. It was emphasized by the company’s leadership that this milestone represents not only a technological achievement but also a reflection of India’s growing strength in deep-tech innovation. It was expressed with pride that an Indian-made invention is now poised to transform global healthcare diagnostics and contribute to the vision of “Make in India for the world.”