Scanadu have created a scanner packed with sensors, allowing users to capture an insight into their health as easily as they can check their email.

The Scanadu Scout looks to put an end to the complexity associated with health checks. The device acts as a vital sign monitor that captures physiological data by simply placing the device on the users temple. In a matter of seconds it records temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, oximetry, ECG, heart rate variability (HRV) and stress, and sends the readings via Bluetooth to your smartphone for analysis and tracking.

The Scanadu Scout aims to diagnose conditions almost instantly, track health over time, provide alerts about viral outbreaks and give necessary advice, including when and where to seek help. It hopes to provide reassurance and reduce hospital visits by helping you diagnose a condition yourself, so let’s hope its accuracy is just as assuring too.

Although the information can be shared with a doctor, Scanadu highlights the importance of having access to your own body’s information which is usually locked away in hospitals and medical practices.

Next pipeline for Scanadu is the Scanaflo, a urine testing kit for home use. Although the device is still in its development, it will test for levels of glucose, protein, leukocytes, nitrates, blood, bilirubin, urobilinogen, specific gravity and pH. This will provide early information about the liver, kidneys, urinary tract or metabolism, which could be especially effective for monitoring the health of pregnant women, the elderly and diabetics.

Although Scanadu are still yet to deliver any products consistently (they started then stopped because of quality issues), the Scout and the Scanaflo could certainly give people a better idea of their health in the future, potentially making us the last generation to know so little about our health.

Adie Blanchard – Researcher

Source

www.scanadu.com