A prototype of what is being touted as the world’s first medical tricorder (you know, like on Star Trek) is being launched on crowdfunding platform indiegogo.
The Scanadu Scout is described as “a scanner packed with sensors designed to read your vital signs and send them wirelessly to your smartphone in a few seconds, any time, anywhere.” Seriously, wow.
Using sensors, by holding the device briefly on your temple and chest, the device is able to monitor pulse, oxygen saturation in your blood, electrical heat signals (ECG), temperature, and respiratory sounds through a microphone. From the data, an onboard microprocessor helps work out pulse wave transit time, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, emotional stress, and other parameters. The results are then sent via Bluetooth to your Android or iOS device.
It seems quite a few people are eager to get their hands on the world’s first tricorder, as the indiegogo campaign has a goal of raising $100,000, and at the time of writing it has already surpassed this goal by almost $250,000, with 29 days still to go. People who contribute $199 or more are promised one of the first Scanadu Scouts, before it gets released into stores.
In addition, early adopters will be helping Scanadu to collect data, so they can file an application to the FDA for market approval as an “over-the-counter consumer-grade diagnostic tool”.
Do you like the idea of having a device that can monitor your body condition at a moment’s notice? Also, will there be no end to the new technology Star Trek will inspire?
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