New app aims to simplify colorimetric tests
Developers of a new app that can turn any smartphone into a portable medical diagnostic device say the tool could help fight disease in the developing world.
Closer to home, Colorimetrix makes accurate reading of colorimetric tests much easier, according to an announcement from the University of Cambridge. Researchers aimed for the app to make monitoring of conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease and urinary tract infections much clearer and easier for both patients and doctors.The app accurately measures color-based tests for use in home, clinical or remote settings, and enables the transmission of medical data from patients directly to health professionals. False readings of these tests are common but Colorimetrix uses the phone's camera and an algorithm to convert data from colorimetric tests into a numerical concentration value on the phone's screen within seconds, according to the announcement.
The app can be used in home, clinical or resource-limited settings, and is available for both Android and iOS operating systems. It has been shown to accurately report glucose, protein and pH concentrations from commercially-available urine test strips without requiring any external hardware, the first time that a mobile phone app has been used in this way in a laboratory setting.
Editor Beth earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s in health communication. She has worked in hospital, academic and publishing settings over the past 20 years. Beth joined TriMed in 2005, as editor of CMIO and Clinical Innovation + Technology. When not covering all things related to health IT, she spends time with her husband and three children.