# Sci-Fi Medical Scanners Scanadu Brings Star Trek to Reality with the Medical Tricorder By Michael Hines | Published 2011-12-31 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/medical-tricorder References: [dvice](http://dvice.com/archives/2011/12/forget-the-futu.php) & [xprize.org](http://www.xprize.org/prize-development/life-sciences#artificial) Tech startup Scanadu is making life easier for DIY docs with their new Medical Tricorder. The Medical Tricorder is a conceptual device designed to let parents [scan their children and themselves](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/athome-family-healthcare) to see if the symptoms they're suffering are life-threatening or not. The Medical Tricorder is being entered into the Tricorder X-Prize. The Tricorder X-Prize is offering $10 million to whoever can come up with the best Tricorder as judged by a panel of doctors. Scanadu's entry is one of many, but they seem to have a good shot at a strong showing as they have secured $2 million in investments after only being around for a year. That may not be enough to impress a panel of physicians, but it may mean great things for Scanadu even if they don't take the top spot. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.1/10 - Popularity: 43% | Activity: 71% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Medical Tricorders:** The development of medical tricorders presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the healthcare industry. - **Tricorder X-prize:** The Tricorder X-Prize competition stimulates innovation in the medical technology sector. - **DIY Doctors:** The rise of DIY doctors opens up new possibilities for personal healthcare management. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Healthcare:** The healthcare industry can explore the use of medical tricorders for improved diagnostics and patient care. - **Medical Technology:** The medical technology industry can develop and market advanced tricorder devices to meet the growing demand for personalized healthcare. - **Investments:** The investment industry can capitalize on the potential growth of companies like Scanadu, paving the way for more innovative and futuristic healthcare solutions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Mobile Healthcare Exam Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/handheld-medical-device.md) - [At-Home Health Scanners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/withings-body-scan.md) - [Pebble-Like Heart Health Trackers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/super-stethoscope.md) - [Portable Brain Scanners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mwi-brain-scanner.md) - [Smart Diagnostic Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keikku.md) - [Cutting-Edge Portable X-Ray Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-xray.md) - [Pebble-Shaped Urine Scanners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uscan.md) - [Multipurpose Diagnostic Health Monitors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/withings-beamo.md) - [Vital Sign-Monitoring Sensors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xk300-sensor.md)