Scientists use iPhone to diagnose worm infections

A group of scientists have used an Apple iPhone 4S to diagnose intestinal worm infections in school children in Tanzania’s rural area.

A group of scientists have used an Apple iPhone 4S to diagnose intestinal worm infections in school children in Tanzania’s rural area.

HT Image

They attached an eight dollar ball lens to the handset camera lens, and used a cheap torch and double-sided tape to create an improvised microscope.

Pictures were then taken of stool samples placed on lab slides, wrapped in cellophane and taped to the phone.

They were studied for the presence of eggs, the main sign of the presence of the parasites.

The device had managed to pick up 70% of the samples with infections present, and 90% of the heavier infections, the BBC reported.

According to the report, the study has been published this week in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.