Mit Media Lab

MIT Researchers Develop Tool For Early Cataract Detection

MIT’s researchers from Media Lab have finally developed a commercially viable prototype product that can detect cataract at initial stage. A small plastic device clips onto an iPhone or any low end Smartphone and provides diagnosis in less than 5 minutes. The device is a result of two technologies CATRA and NETRA , which were developed at MIT by the same team. A paper explaining the technology, setup and validation studies, and user studies is all set to be presented at SIGGRAPH , the annual computer-graphics conference that will be held in Vancouver from August 7-11. Expectations are high amongst the ophthalmologists all around the world as the technology has won $300,000 first prize the Vodafone Foundation’s Wireless Innovation Project Award in April 2011.

Around 40% of all the causes that account to blindness are the result of cataract. Unfortunately, maximum people get to know that they suffer from cataract only when it has progressed onto a later stage and becomes difficult to treat. The present methods to detect cataract use visual acuity tests. To conduct these tests, there is a need of highly trained ophthalmologists along with expensive equipments. In places like India and sub-Saharan Africa, where majority of the cataract cases are found in the world, there is a severe shortage of trained doctors and lack of funds for other expensive tools required to set up a diagnostic centers. This is where the novel technology promises to deliver.

The device costs only $4.99 and the price seems negligible when compared to the existing cataract detection techniques that cost somewhere around $1500. Appointment charges of $5 to $200 per visit again add to patients wows. This inexpensive and simple to use mobile diagnostic device is a result of application of evolutionary approach to the already developed technology called as Near-Eye Tool for Refractive Assessment or simply NETRA. Along with NETRA, another technology developed by the same researchers is put to good use, called as CATRA.

The test is completed in mere 2 to 5 minutes. In earlier types of tests, doctor sees the light reflected by the lens and gives his opinion based on the same. On the other hand, CATRA is all about the light passing through the lens. Earlier, the patient was a passive subject, having absolutely no role in the test. But the MIT researchers have made the new test procedure to follow a more patient feedback protocol. Now, the patient reports whether a point of light directed at his eye remains steady, dims or disappears.

MIT Media Lab gets a multiplicitous new logo (video)

Logos can be surprisingly divisive things, so the MIT Media Lab has decided to cheat a little bit with its new identity: it won't have just one logo, it'll have 40,000. You heard / read / imagined that right, the new Media Lab logo will simply be the concept of three intersecting "spotlights," composed of three colors, straight lines, three black squares, and a few blending gradients. There's an algorithm behind it all, which is used to generate a unique logo for every new member of staff, meaning that although trademark claims may be a headache to enforce, originality will continue thriving in the Lab for a long time to come. Hit the source link to learn more or leap past the break for a nice video rundown.

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