Google’s
Expansion into Medical Tech**logy
[IMG]http://cdn.medgadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/google-na**tech**logy.png[/IMG]When we think of
Google, we think of the company that powers*the widely used search engine, and we think of computer programming, engineering, and electrical design. However, recently*
Google has expanded and moved towards research in
Medical tech**logy.*Just a few months ago, the tech giant
partnered with***vartis to license*a*glucose measuring smart contact lens. The company had also recently
bought portions of Calico, an anti-aging research company, and 23andme, a company that provides personal genetic tests. **w,*Google aims to develop a wearable diag**stic device to detect cancer and heart attacks through the use of na**particles.
The main*idea is that a*patient will*swallow a pill with magnetic na**particles to detect various conditions. Dr. Andrew Conrad of the Google X research division is spearheading this project. These na**particles could potentially attach themselves to cancer cells, change color when potassium passes through them to measure the amount of*it*in the blood, or attach to fat*build ups that could lead to heart attacks. Na**particles that aren’t attached to anything would behave differently than those that are, and software can ultimately be used to diag**se the patient based off the movements of the particles*in a magnetic field. The results would then be readily displayed on a wearable device.
Problems have already been raised including misdiag**sis or*false positives which could lead to unnecessary treatment or higher levels of anxiety. **netheless,*
Google has said that if this concept is feasible, this
Tech**logy could reach the public in about five years.
BBC:*
Google is developing cancer and heart attack detector
