Realizing the Star Trek Medical Tricorder: A Journey Through the Digital-Health Industry

Years ago, the slogan 'Come, let us build a Star Trek tricorder and make it real' sparked a thrilling competition. Specifically, the digital-health industry embraced the Star Trek term 'tricorder' as the ultimate goal of the 10M Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE. The challenge was to develop a single portable device that could diagnose over a dozen medical conditions.

The Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE

The criteria for a successful submission included an 'automatic non-invasive health diagnostics' system packed into a device weighing no more than 5 pounds (2.3 kg). The device needed to be able to diagnose conditions such as whooping cough, hypertension, mononucleosis, shingles, melanoma, HIV, and osteoporosis.

Basil Leaf Technologies and DxtER

In 2017, Basil Leaf Technologies emerged as the winner of the prize with their creation, DxtER, which became a landmark device in the digital-health industry. The DxtER was a small unit with a variety of medical peripherals, including a sensor for heart and lung sounds, an electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor, and a device for analyzing blood glucose and white cell count—a key indicator of infection and inflammation when elevated.

Success and Commercial Viability

Besides the Qualcomm prize, the inventors received a 2.6M grant aimed at making the tricorder commercially viable. However, at the time, Basil Leaf Technologies was not optimistic about the public or commercial adoption of the device. The quote from their founder or inventor reads: 'At the time Basil Leaf was not optimistic: Already here in the hands of ET'S. But the general public/commercial no!'

Where Are We Now?

Since then, some working models have been designed, though it's uncertain if they are in general use. A ZDNet article, titled 'Building the Tricorder: The Race to Create a Real-Life Star Trek Medical Scanner', highlights the progress made by numerous teams and enthusiasts. Similarly, articles like 'The Contest to Build the First Star Trek Tricorder Has a Winner [Infographic]' and 'Live Long and Prosper: Star Trek-Like Tricorder Wins 2.6M Prize' continue to showcase the ongoing developments and excitement surrounding this cutting-edge technology.

The journey towards creating a real-world tricorder continues as researchers and innovators strive to deliver more accurate, efficient, and accessible diagnostic tools. As the digital-health industry advances, the concept of a Star Trek Tricorder is no longer just a dream but a step closer to becoming a reality.