A team from Pohang University of Science and Technology in Korea has developed a portable at-home medical kit that can detect five diseases, including liver cancer and diabetes, using a few drops of blood. Chosun Ilbo reports:
“We have invented Digital Bio Disc so people can easily make a primary diagnosis of cancer and diabetes at home,” said Yoo Jae-chun, 40, a professor at the Graduate School for Information Technology of Pohang University of Science and Technology, who led the research. The team has applied for an international patent for the medical kit.
A fast-moving disk-shaped device in the drive can check if elements in the blood match genetic information about the diseases. People can see the result on the screen about 40 minutes after putting in their blood. The diagnosis is also forwarded to a hospital through the Internet, where doctors decide if the patient needs further tests.
“We plan to market Digital Bio Disc during the first half of next year for between W10,000 (US$10) and W20,000 per unit,” Yoo said.
But it may take considerable time before the device can be commercialized, because it has yet to be approved by the Korea Food and Drug Administration …
(hat tip: WMMNA)