A device able to instantly measure vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature is closer to production following another $10.5 million dollars raised by the invention's maker, Scanadu, the tech news outlet, Mashables, reported.
Much of the startup company's latest funds came from the mobile-focused venture capitalist firm, Relay Ventures, and Yahoo founder and CEO Jerry Yang, bringing the grand total to $14.7 million, according to Mashables. Since the company already has a working prototype, a sizeable portion of the extra $10 million will go towards expanding the Scanadu work team as one step in the company's larger goal for FDA approval.
Indiegogo, the online fundraising website typically used for works relating to the public interest, has also been instrumental in supporting Scanadu. According to Mashables, the company raised $100,000 in its first hour on the site and hit $1.6 million in two months.
The Scanadu Scout, as it is called, is about the size and shape of a rounded-out computer mouse and carries an Apple-like design now typical of cutting edge technology. It works on one's forehead, where it generates vital information in a matter of seconds and sends that data to one's smart phone, according to Scanadu's website. Concerned patients can then share their information or their children's information directly with doctors, who ideally will have them ready and analyzed before their patients arrive.
Since Scout's measurements could impact important health decisions, FDA approval will be vital in building customer trust.
"For the [typical] consumer on the streets, the FDA are superheroes," Scanadu CEO Walter De Brouwer said.
Though the Scout measures temperature, De Brouwer sees its most important functions, which also include respiratory and oxygenation rate, relating to cardiovascular health.
"Our enemy is no longer fever," De Brouwer said. "Our 21st-century enemy is cardiovascular."
Scanadu Scout will fit into a package of similar devices soon to arrive by the emerging start up. Its other self-monitoring products include an app designed to provide alerts of locally-based viral outbreaks, a scanning device that diagnoses physical conditions like chicken pox and recommends either a doctor trip or rest at home, and a neck adhesive that also monitors vital signs.