University of Utah researchers developing medical card reader


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A card reader that could identify hundreds of diseases or ailments, all at one time, could be in hospitals and clinics within the next five to eight years. The new prototype device is under development at the University of Utah.

We're talking about speed here. Instead of days to find out the results of your blood work, this device could read it out immediately.

In the science fiction movie "Gattaca," a drop of blood from a newborn baby is placed in a device, giving the parents an immediate map of diseases or ailments the child will develop as it grows, and more.

While this prototype is not that kind of crystal ball, it's coming very close to the all encompassing reader that, from little drops of our blood, could tell us a lot.

University of Utah researchers developing medical card reader

Once in use, this would be as simple as a wellness card, like a credit card. All you would do is run it through a reader to find out what you have.

"A prick of my finger, blood on a card; over a period of minutes, I can now scan this card out and read back anything I'm interested in. In this case, disease markers, viruses, cancers, bacterium," explained Michael Granger, research scientist with Utah Science, Technology and Research (USTAR).

Right now, we go for a physical. The nurse draws several vials of blood. It's sent off to a lab for culture work. The results are then sent back to the doctor within the next two or three days.

This device has the potential to do it all at one time. That's why it's called rapid disease testing. It incorporates the same technology used to read data on a computer hard drive. It's also the same way you listen to tunes on your iPod.

A wellness card is not the only application. How about homeland security?

University of Utah researchers developing medical card reader

"We might actually want to look for pathogens or suspected agents in very short periods of time. So, we think there are places beyond human health, although human health principal focus," explained Marc Porter, professor of chemistry with USTAR.

While the prototype reader, right now, is large for research purposes, the actual product would be about the size of a loaf of bread -- perfect for tabletop use in a doctor's office or a hospital.

E-mail: eyeates@ksl.com

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