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Smartphone Device Detects Cancer In an Hour

Posted by Soulskill on from the can't-wait-for-my-itricorder dept.

kkleiner writes "Scientists at the Center for Systems Biology at Massachusetts General Hospital have integrated a microNMR device that accurately detects cancer cells and integrates with a smartphone (abstract). Though just a prototype, this device enables a clinician to extract small amounts of cells from a mass inside of a patient, analyze the sample on the spot, acquire the results in an hour, and pass the results to other clinicians and into medical records rapidly. How much does the device cost to make? $200. Seriously, smartphones just got their own Samuel L. Jackson-esque wallet." Reader Stoobalou points out other cancer-related news that Norwegian researchers have found a group of genes that increase a person's risk to develop lung cancer.

10 of 69 comments (clear)

  1. Wrong recipient by DoofusOfDeath · · Score: 2

    Seriously, smartphones just got their own Samuel L. Jackson-esque wallet

    Actually, in my book it's the programmer(s) who deserve that wallet. Seriously, they probably just saved a few people's lives by writing good software. How many of us can claim that?

    1. Re:Wrong recipient by ColdWetDog · · Score: 2

      Yes. This is a totally bizarre way to do things. If indeed the 'microMRI' device (which is the heart of the system) works as advertised you have a golden device without the dippy smartphone angle. You can take your magical results and modem them into another computer, to an EMR, to a consultant, to Twitter if you felt like it. The TFA also implies (but does not explicity state) that this device works on many, if not all tumors.

      That's Holy Grail level stuff.

      Color me jaded and cynical as usual, but pics or GTFO.

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      Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
  2. Bring it! by Infonaut · · Score: 2

    Anything that helps make detecting cancer cheaper, easier, and faster is good in my book.

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    Read the EFF's Fair Use FAQ
  3. Smartphone by saibot834 · · Score: 4, Informative

    It seems an article is at least 10 times more relevant in the news, if the word "Smartphone" is in the headline. In reality, this is just a normal device which has nothing to do with calling people or surfing on the web.
    If you read the abstract, you'll notice Smartphones aren't even mentioned.

    1. Re:Smartphone by winomonkey · · Score: 2

      While the smartphone element is very much over-hyped for those of us in the developed and connected parts of the world, it can be very significant for people who don't have the luxury of a desktop PC and high-resolution monitor in their doctor's office. Imagine a traveling physician in [insert remote area: Alaska, Appalachia, the Peruvian Andes, Subsaharan Africa, the Hindu-Kush, Siberia] that can use two very portable devices to provide a level of diagnosis otherwise unavailable in those regions without incurring otherwise expensive or time-consuming travel expenses for each patient.

  4. Seriously? by Klync · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Seriously: can someone explain wtf a "Samuel L. Jackson-esque wallet" is? I know who Mr. Jackson is, and I know what a a wallet is, but I'm clearly missing something here.

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    Not to be confused with Col.
    1. Re:Seriously? by guspasho · · Score: 2

      You can tell which wallet is his because it says "Bad Ass Mother Fucker" on it. It's a Pulp Fiction reference, and a really awkwardly placed one in this summary.

  5. What a coincidence... by BiggoronSword · · Score: 2

    A device that can cause cancer, is now able to detect it.

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    interactive hologram, or it didn't happen.
    1. Re:What a coincidence... by imgod2u · · Score: 2

      To smartphones! The cause of and solution to all of live's cancer.

  6. A more appropriate name: by Drakkenmensch · · Score: 3, Funny

    The "Tricorder Attachment"