A multi-channel smartphone spectrometer and app developed at Washington State University detects a known cancer biomarker, providing portable laboratory-grade accuracy for clinicians. While current smartphone spectrometers only monitor or measure one sample at a time, the portable lab device built on an iPhone 5 can analyze eight lab samples simultaneously.

Diagram of the smartphone spectrometer device.The eight channel smartphone spectrometer detects human interleukin-6 (IL-6), a known biomarker for lung, prostate, liver, breast and epithelial cancers. A spectrometer analyzes the amount and type of chemicals in a sample by measuring the light spectrum, using the colorimetric test enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The device has been up to 99% accurate compared to standard laboratory instruments. Portable diagnoses in a physician’s office, ambulance, and rural areas are potential uses for the mobile device.