Early diagnosis of sepsis is a difficult problem for intensivists and new 
biomarkers for early diagnosis have been difficult to come by. Here we discuss 
the potential of adapting a technology from the electronics industry, surface 
acoustic wave (SAW) sensors, for diagnosis of multiple markers of sepsis in real 
time, using non-invasive assays of exhaled breath condensate. The principles and 
advantages of the SAW technology are reviewed as well as a proposed plan for 
adapting this flexible technology to early sepsis detection.