Revolutionary Blood Hemoglobin Test Made Possible by Inexpensive Smartphone Tech
HemaChrome LLC, a digital mobile health startup backed by Purdue University, has made history with its groundbreaking smartphone-based technology that can measure blood hemoglobin levels from a single digital photo of the inner eyelid.
The breakthrough was made possible after HemaChrome's founder and chief science officer, Young Kim, developed a patent-pending method to extract true colors from a digital photo. This innovation allows clinicians to conduct point-of-care, home-based, and remote diagnostic tests on their patients at a fraction of the cost, utilizing smartphones or computer cameras as hyperspectral imagers.
The technology instantly and noninvasively quantifies and assesses blood hemoglobin content, addressing a pressing global health concern - anemia. With over 1.93 billion people globally suffering from anemia, this affordable solution could transform healthcare, especially in low-resource settings where access to medical testing is often limited.
"We hope that after our collaboration with Global Health Labs is completed, we can continue to partner with them on related projects," said Huiri Kim, HemaChrome's CEO. "GH Labs' mission to reduce health disparities across the globe aligns perfectly with ours."
By working together with Global Health Labs Inc., a nonprofit organization funded by Gates Ventures, HemaChrome aims to tackle anemia diagnosis gaps and provide much-needed diagnostic solutions.
Purdue University played a significant role in supporting the development of this revolutionary technology through its Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization. According to a 2024 report, the office reported 145 deals finalized with over 224 technologies signed, demonstrating the university's commitment to commercializing innovations that benefit society and economy.
The impact of HemaChrome's technology will be significant not only in addressing global health disparities but also in improving productivity worldwide. Individuals with anemia often feel weak and are less productive, drastically impacting a country's gross domestic product.
By harnessing the power of affordable smartphone technology, HemaChrome is poised to revolutionize healthcare globally.