Blood tests can take weeks to get results, and the equipment to conduct the tests costs upwards of $18,000—but that all will soon be changing. Scientists from Columbia University have invented a smart phone attachment that can be powered by any headphone jack and diagnoses HIV and syphilis in 15 minutes, and it only costs $34. Recent advancements in micro technology have made the devices viable. The device is also easy to use, a simple 30-minute training is all that’s required to fully learn how to take samples and use the smartphone dongle. A successful pilot program just finished in Rwanda and plans for additional test programs are currently underway.
Blood tests with a smartphone in 15 minutes
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