Technology is bringing a new method of early detection and prevention to medicine. Months ago OraQuick’s home HIV tests were made available to the public and sold in pharmacies. And tech gurus are now using smartphones to create new methods to help you avoid a doctor’s visit and keep on top of your health before a disheartening check up.
The Scout is the first of three gadgets from health tech startup Scanadu to promise to help you stay informed about your health. Priced at $150, the device will take vital signs such as heart rate, electrical heart activity, temperature, heart rate variability and blood oxygenation in less than 10 seconds and send to the Scanadu app.
ScanFlo is the second device to launch and it will act as a urinalysis reader with a disposable cartridge. It will test for gestational diabetes, kidney
failure and urinary tract infections. It can also be a useful tool for pregnant women, detecting complications throughout the nine months and testing for pregnancy conditions like preeclampsia, according to Forbes. ScanFlu, the third device, will test for Strep A, Influenza A, Influenza B, Adenovirus and RSV and is one of the first to provide quick results thanks to one’s smartphone.The products are awaiting FDA approval but founder Walter de Brouwer, former CEO of One Laptop Per Child, hopes to have the products available for sale by the end of 2013.