---
title: "Scientists Want to Make This Medical Device From a Classic Sci-Fi Show a Reality"
description: "The teams created devices that came close, but couldn't achieve, all the benchmarks of single handheld device able to diagnose 13 diseases."
date: "2017-07-05"
modified: "2017-07-05"
authors:
  - name: "Karla Lant"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/karla.md"
url: "https://futurism.com/neoscope/scientists-want-to-make-this-medical-device-from-a-classic-sci-fi-show-a-reality"
categories:
  - "Health & Medicine"
  - "Medical"
tags:
  - "handheld diagnostics"
  - "lab-on-a-chip"
  - "tricorder prize"
---

# Scientists Want to Make This Medical Device From a Classic Sci-Fi Show a Reality

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/85de5551611b002761a547d88c092312.jpg>)

## The Tricorder XPRIZE

In April 2017, the winners of the Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE were announced: out of more than 300 teams, Final Frontier Medical Devices and Dynamical Biomarkers Group were the two whose devices got us closest to where no one has gone before. The contest was inspired by the medical “tricorder” from the original *Star Trek* series, a handheld device that could check vitals and diagnose a host of diseases by simply being swept in front of the patient. This vision of the future — with no invasive tests and fast, accurate results — has now ushered in actual technological advances outside the realm of science fiction.

The work of both prizewinning teams focused on [integrating multiple technologies](<https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-close-are-we-to-a-real-star-trek-style-medical-tricorder/>) into a single device. According to the judges, both devices almost met the contest benchmarks for accurately diagnosing 13 different diseases including anemia, diabetes, lung disease, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. In fact, these two winners come closest to combining the many functionalities of the original tricorder featured in a single, handheld diagnostic system.

Final Frontier Medical Devices and Basil Leaf Technologies won first prize with their [DxtER device](<http://www.basilleaftech.com/dxter/>). This is actually an AI-equipped iPad that uses non-invasive sensors to collect data about body chemistry, biological functions, and vital signs. The second place prize went to [Dynamical Biomarkers Group](<http://tricorder.xprize.org/teams/dynamical-biomarkers-group>), who produced three wireless handheld test modules: the Smart Blood-Urine Test Kit, the Smart Vital-Sense Monitor, and the Smart Scope Module. These modules connect to a smartphone and analyze blood, urine, skin appearance, and vital signs.

![Image Credit: Bobbie Johnson/WikiCommons](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tricorder.jpg>)

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlalant>)  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/KarlaLant>)

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- [Star Trek’s Medical Tricorders Have Made It to the Final Round of XPrize](<https://futurism.com/neoscope/star-treks-medical-tricorders-have-made-it-to-the-final-round-of-xprize.md>)
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