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Scientists use iPhone microscope to diagnose intestinal worms

Scientists use iPhone microscope to diagnose intestinal worms

Posted: 16 Mar 2013, 15:08, by Michael H.

Categories: Apple Apple Interesting facts Interesting facts

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Scientists use iPhone microscope to diagnose intestinal worms

The last big growth opportunity for mobile devices is in the medical field. Mobile is already a powerhouse for communication, entertainment, and as an information hub, but the work is still in progress to make medical devices more mobile. We've seen theoretical work, but this story is a pretty impressive practical application, because scientists were able to use a hacked-together iPhone microscope to diagnose intestinal worms in Pemba Island, off the coast of Tanzania.

The scientists converted the iPhone into a microscope by putting double-sided tape over the camera lens, then piercing a hole in the tape and placing a small $9 lens over the existing camera lens. The flashlight was used for illumination, the double-sided tape held the stool sample slides in place, and the image on the phone's screen was studied for intestinal parasites. It isn't a perfect system, but it was able to diagnose 70% of the infections compared to a conventional laboratory microscope. In many cases that may just be good enough, but more importantly, it is a very inexpensive option.

Africa is an emerging market, and inexpensive smartphones have been huge in many areas there (as we've talked about before). Mobile phones have already been amazing for local trade, microtransactions, and even the arts, and more medical options can only be a good thing.

source: CNN

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1. SamsungTheSavior (banned) posted on 16 Mar 2013, 15:12 13 7

Could've gotten much more done with a note 2 microscope and split screen apps.

5. lyndon420 posted on 16 Mar 2013, 15:38 4 1

Agreed.

18. jcarrigan posted on 16 Mar 2013, 18:25 2 0

why would they do this? just get a stupid microscope

19. MC1123 posted on 16 Mar 2013, 18:30 0 2

jealous much?

2. blackice214 posted on 16 Mar 2013, 15:19 2 0

I wonder how accurate that microscope is.

28. Droiddoes posted on 17 Mar 2013, 12:15 1 0

as accurate as apple maps!

4. lyndon420 posted on 16 Mar 2013, 15:37 0 0

That was amazing creativity for what they had to work with.

10. MobileJunkieJr posted on 16 Mar 2013, 16:31 4 0

Should'a used the 808!!!
They would'a seen "lossless" worms and even the viruses in the worms.

11. InspectorGadget80 posted on 16 Mar 2013, 16:34 3 2

Iworms

14. darac posted on 16 Mar 2013, 16:59 0 3

Good article Micheal

29. Droiddoes posted on 17 Mar 2013, 12:16 0 0

- Good article
- michael h article

Pick one

16. roscuthiii posted on 16 Mar 2013, 17:59 2 1

So... they used Apple Maps and wound up in someone's backside?

*bah-dum-tiss*

21. Droid773 posted on 16 Mar 2013, 23:35 0 0

why you guys always fighting? just choose whatever device you like and be happy. im an android user since day one.

23. 5ufy9n posted on 17 Mar 2013, 02:31 0 0

Was it a 'stool' sample they put on the iPhone? o.O

25. DHILLON_ARSH posted on 17 Mar 2013, 09:04 1 0

GOOD MOVE APPLE....BUT STILL
FCCK U

27. Droiddoes posted on 17 Mar 2013, 12:13 0 0

michael h advertisemen- I mean article. tb,dr (too biased, didn't read)

30. rusticguy posted on 17 Mar 2013, 14:54 0 0

And he hid my comment. Never checked but who know may have sent a warning about "trolling" also ....

31. Droiddoes posted on 17 Mar 2013, 17:27 0 0

Yup. You are not allowed to criticize or even point out the WELL KNOWN flaws in apples novelty products, he will remove them. Biased "reporter" (and I use the term as loosely as possible, I've seen more journalistic integrity in a jr high newsletter) is biased and admittedly does not even research things before schlocking together a biased, often innacurate "story".

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Scientists use iPhone microscope to diagnose intestinal worms

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31 Comments Follow Following

1. SamsungTheSavior (banned) posted on 16 Mar 2013, 15:12 13 7

5. lyndon420 posted on 16 Mar 2013, 15:38 4 1

18. jcarrigan posted on 16 Mar 2013, 18:25 2 0

19. MC1123 posted on 16 Mar 2013, 18:30 0 2

2. blackice214 posted on 16 Mar 2013, 15:19 2 0

28. Droiddoes posted on 17 Mar 2013, 12:15 1 0

4. lyndon420 posted on 16 Mar 2013, 15:37 0 0

10. MobileJunkieJr posted on 16 Mar 2013, 16:31 4 0

11. InspectorGadget80 posted on 16 Mar 2013, 16:34 3 2

14. darac posted on 16 Mar 2013, 16:59 0 3

29. Droiddoes posted on 17 Mar 2013, 12:16 0 0

16. roscuthiii posted on 16 Mar 2013, 17:59 2 1

21. Droid773 posted on 16 Mar 2013, 23:35 0 0

23. 5ufy9n posted on 17 Mar 2013, 02:31 0 0

25. DHILLON_ARSH posted on 17 Mar 2013, 09:04 1 0

27. Droiddoes posted on 17 Mar 2013, 12:13 0 0

30. rusticguy posted on 17 Mar 2013, 14:54 0 0

31. Droiddoes posted on 17 Mar 2013, 17:27 0 0

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