Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Paul Anderson on 07/08/2009 11:30:03

Title: Can colour be used to detect illness?
Post by: Paul Anderson on 07/08/2009 11:30:03

Paul Anderson  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hi Chris and team,

I have just been looking at a film of a chameleon changing colour (I don't know whether time lapse was used or whether they do change colour so quickly)   and I know that colour is used in genetic research.

I was wondering if colour could be used in fingers to indicate internal illnesses, so folk could put their fingers under a scanner of some sort and the system would be able to detect internal illnesses. It might use other senses in conjunction with the colour, such as heart rate, body temperature (but then you need to determine how and where the temperature is being measured), etc.

I suppose if this idea was of any use someone would have already developed it.
 
Regards
Paul
NZ

What do you think?

Title: Can colour be used to detect illness?
Post by: RD on 07/08/2009 16:11:20

Pulse oximeter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse_oximeter) (often attached to patient's finger) uses the colour of the patients blood to calculate the oxygen content.

Title: Can colour be used to detect illness?
Post by: Karen W. on 12/08/2009 14:23:48

So thats how that works.. I know they told me it checked my oxygen saturation.

So how does it check the color RD...?

Going to read link!

Title: Can colour be used to detect illness?
Post by: Karen W. on 12/08/2009 14:35:45

Great link and well explained..Thanks RD!

Title: Can colour be used to detect illness?
Post by: RD on 12/08/2009 18:17:52

The oximeter uses absorption of infra red as well as visible light, (the infra red "colour" of blood would not be visible to the human eye),