SYDNEY, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Researchers in Australia have unveiled a pioneering "pain-on-a-chip" device capable of distinguishing between different chronic pain subtypes, offering new hope for more accurate diagnosis and treatment, Monash University said on Monday.

The minimally invasive biosensor uses live sensory nerves on a chip, or nociceptors, to objectively detect pain biomarkers from blood samples. The device successfully differentiated between two animal models of chronic pain -- fibromyalgia and diabetic neuropathy, according to the study in collaboration with Flinders University.

Chronic pain affects people worldwide and remains extremely difficult to treat, with current clinical methods relying heavily on subjective patient reports, particularly limiting for non-verbal individuals, a statement of Monash University cited the study published in Biosensors and Bioelectronics.

"Improving pain classification and identifying new treatments requires new strategies that objectively recognize specific pain conditions and minimize subjectivity," said Nicolas Voelcker of the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, one of the study's lead authors.

Highlighting the potential of biosensor technology in clinical diagnostics, Voelcker said the research "builds on recent developments which we hope to continue evolving and, ultimately, deliver a device that will improve the lives of those living with chronic pain conditions."

Dusan Matusica from Flinders University, also a lead author, said, "Such a diagnostic tool set is currently missing in both preclinical and clinical applications." Enditem

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