The device helps the phone determine cancer to 99% accurate

Phones like iPhones can turn into "portable labs" that can diagnose cancer by up to 99%.

Researchers have developed a handheld spectrophotometer that can be attached to smartphones to detect cancer with up to 99% accuracy. Besides, it also has the ability to detect many other dangerous diseases.

By analyzing the mix of chemicals in tissue samples, the device can detect a type of biomarker called interleukin 6 (IL-6) . This substance is closely related to the lungs, prostate, liver, breast, and skin cancer.

The most outstanding feature of this portable spectrum analyzer is that it can handle up to 8 tissue samples simultaneously. Therefore, it will become a powerful assistant for doctors in remote areas, where medical conditions are poor.

Actual image of smartphone universal reader.(Photo source: University of Washington).

"They cannot bring a whole lab to such difficult areas because the roads are bad. Doctors need a device that is highly portable, convenient and effective , " said Dr. Lei Li from the University of Washington said.

The spectrometer works by measuring the properties of light in the electromagnetic spectrum. By determining the changes in the wavelengths of light, scientists can tell if tumors inside the body appear tumors.

These smart phone combined spectroscopes use a technique known as ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) . This method has many forms, the common feature is that it is based on a specific combination of antigen and antibody, in which antibodies are attached to an enzyme. When adding the appropriate substrate (usually nitrophenol phosphate) to the reaction, the enzyme will hydrolyze the substance into a colored substance. The presence of color indicates a specific reaction between antibodies and antigens, and through the color intensity, the antigen or antibody concentration should be detected.

This method is designed for the detection and quantification of substances such as peptides, proteins, antibodies, hormones, etc. It is sometimes called by another name EIA (Enzyme ImmunoAssay) . ELISA is used as a diagnostic tool in medicine and plant pathology, as well as quality control testing in various industries, such as ELISA applications in the food industry.

Tissue samples were placed in small cells and then lit from below. The light will be captured with the smartphone's camera.

Between these two parts is a structure called diffraction correction , which allows splitting light beams before they reach the phone for detailed spectral analysis.

Initially, this device was used with samples taken from the testing room, but now it is being applied to real-life situations.

Li tested this "portable lab" with iPhone 5, and is working on developing a new version compatible with any smartphone. Further information regarding Li's research can be found here.