Laboratory on DVD player

DVD players, being abandoned with the arrival of USB and cloud computing, could be given a second chance to 'live' by turning into cheap diagnostic devices.

Researchers at the Royal Institute of Technology (NRI) in Stockholm, Sweden, say that optical technology on DVD players can be used to create not only inexpensive but high-speed devices. on-site HIV testing or other urgent analyzes.

Redirect using the DVD player as a tool
medical analysis - ( Photo: Royal Institute of Technology)

KTH professor Aman Russom says his team has succeeded in turning a DVD reader into a laser scanner capable of analyzing blood samples and displaying cellular images.

An easy-to-use and low-cost tool can deliver unmatched benefits to medical diagnosis in developing countries.

"With normal DVD players, we turn it into a device for analyzing DNA, RNA, protein, and even whole cells ," said Professors Russell.

This 'DVD lab' may be ready to complete an HIV test within minutes.

Currently such diagnostic equipment must be up to $ 30,000, while the technique allows for immediate tools equivalent to less than $ 200.