Tech Roundup: Vitamin D Tracker App, Smartphone Microscope, Skin Biopsy Tool

Vitamin D Calculator—A mobile app that tracks vitamin D intake

A vitamin D calculator has been developed to track personal vitamin D intake from diet and sunlight. According to researchers, the mobile app could be beneficial for individuals residing in Northern climates where sunlight is in demand during the fall and winter months.¹

The app’s efficacy was tested in a study that included 50 users—50% male, 50% female—the app calculated a participants’ vitamin D and calcium intake from the information on the participant’s diet, time spent in the sunlight, and demographics entered.^{1
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The day after the information was recorded, individuals recalled a 24- hour dietary summary to a research assistant and the app’s measurements and self-recorded information were compared against other participants’.¹

The study showed that the 24-hour recalls did not significantly vary from the app’s measurements.¹

Moving forward, the app could be a beneficial tool to help young adults track their vitamin D intake or to increase their consumption to meet any recommendations. ¹

The study investigators noted that a longer study needs to be conducted to determine the accuracy of tracking vitamin D intake.¹

CellScope – Blood Parasites

A new smartphone microscope uses video to detect and measure parasitic worm infections within drops of blood.

The device works by detecting the movement of worms through motion instead of molecular markers or fluorescent strains. The video CellScope worked as accurately as traditional screening methods.²

The smartphone sits on a plastic base made from a 3D-printer where the blood sample is positioned. The phone processes the sample wirelessly via Bluetooth to controllers in the base that analyzes the sample. As the phone captures the wriggling motion of worms, the worm count is displayed on the screen.²

Moving forward, UC Berkeley’s CellScope technology could help eradicate debilitating filarial disease in Africa by displaying critical information to healthcare providers in the field.²

Automated Skin Biopsy Device – Quick Skin Biopsy tool that does not require anesthesia

An automated skin biopsy device was developed to perform a skin biopsy with fewer instruments and a shorter procedure-length: from 30 minutes to less than 5 minutes.³

The ergonomic tool is easy to use and compact, and allows the examining healthcare providers to take a quick skin biopsy with just 1 simple click—devoid of anesthesia or specialized cutting and sewing.³

According to researchers, the biopsy prototype makes an incision and removes the tissue sample in a way that is complaint with the IRYCIS sanitation standards.³

The device will help detect pathologies including skin cancer earlier and allow doctors to view a higher volume of patients.³

—Michelle Canales Butcher

References:

1. Goodman S, Morrongiello B, Simpson JR, Meckling K. Vitamin D intake among young Candian adults: validation of a mobile vitamin d calculator app. J Nutr Ed Behav. 2015 May-June [epub ahead of print] doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2014.11.006.

2. UC Berkley. Smartphone video microscope automates detection parasites in blood [press release]. http://newscenter.berkeley.edu/2015/05/06/video-cellscope-automates-detection-of-parasites. Accessed May 8, 2015.

3. Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Decice created for faster skin biopsies without anesthesia [press release]. www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=152481&CultureCode=en. Accessed May 8, 2015.