MobileODT makes cervical cancer diagnostics mobile

MobileODT colposcopse

What used to be one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the US, cervical cancer mortality rates have declined significantly in the last 40 years due in part to better compliance with regular screening. The typical pap smear tests flag women who should be further examined with a colposcope to identify abnormal tissue in the cervix, which will then be biopsied. Unfortunately, this screening is not readily available to 85 percent of women residing in developing countries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates.

MobileODT is looking to tackle this problem with a small device that turns pretty much any smartphone into a portable colposcope, making this part of the screening process readily available for most clinics.

The hardware part consists of a light source and magnifying lens that gives a phone’s camera lens improved visualization of any abnormalities in the cervical tissue.The hardware part consists of a light source and magnifying lens that gives a phone’s camera lens improved visualization of any abnormalities in the cervical tissue. Once visualized, the nurse can make a diagnosis or just capture photos of the patient’s cervix, and send them securely to a physician for further analysis. The companion app supports annotations of these images and transmission of final recommendations by the remote physicians.

MobileODT should be available at tenth of cost of traditional colposcopes, which can run to $2,000 a piece. It’s not selling all around the world just yet, but with CE mark under its belt, the system is ready to be sold across the EU, and we guess, some developing countries as well.

[Via: Medgadget]