Marvelous Invention – New Smartphone Laboratory to Detect Cancer

Researchers from Washington State University have invented a portable, low-cost laboratory on a smartphone, which can analyze several samples to detect cancer. This latest invention yields 99% accurate result which is equal to the best quality result produced by a lab.

Today, patients and medical professionals always expect results within a short period of time, whereas, on other hand, researchers are trying to convert bio detection technologies used in laboratories to the field and clinic. This can help the patients to get immediate diagnoses in a physician's office, ambulance or an emergency room.

The researchers have invented an eight channel smartphone spectrometer which can detect human interleukin-6 (IL-6), a well-known biomarker for lungs, breast, prostate and epithelial cancers. A spectrometer can analyze the amount and type of chemicals present in a sample by measuring the light spectrum. This latest technology will be useful in hospitals which are located in remote areas. As per a report published by the Economic Times, Lei Li, Lead researcher and Assistant Professor in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering said, "This portable smartphone laboratory will be useful in clinics and hospitals that have a large number of samples without on-site labs, or for doctors who practice in remote areas." He added that doctors in remote areas cannot carry a whole lab with them. Thus, this portable device can be of a great help to them.

Usually, smartphone spectrometers can only monitor or measure a single sample at a time. According to FreePressJournal, a study published in the journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics, this spectrometer can measure up to eight different samples at once using a common test called 'ELISA'. The test can identify antibodies and color change as disease markers.

Lei Li has filed a provisional patent for the work has stated that the eight channel spectrometer increases the efficiency of the new smartphone portable laboratory. Currently, the system works with an iPhone 5 but researchers said that they are creating a unique and adjustable design that will be compatible with any smartphone.