The smartphone as a medical device: Assessing enablers, benefits and challenges

Over one billion smartphones have now been shipped worldwide. These mobile devices feature multi-core CPUs and GPUs, megapixel cameras and an array of sensors. Smartphone sensors can now be processed to diagnose a wide variety of medical conditions including cough detection, irregular heartbeat detection, and lung function analysis. The ability to diagnose ailments in the convenience of patients´ homes on smartphones that they already possess could lead to early detection, which could ultimately reduce healthcare costs. This paper reviews state-of-the-art examples, examines the technical issues involved in the use of the smartphone as a medical device, and outlines potential benefits and challenges. A case study of an Android smartphone app for wound detection and healing progress analysis by diabetes patients is also presented.