I don’t own a cell phone. Mostly because I don’t want to become one of those people who can’t even walk their dog without checking their email. And I know I would. If you do own a cell phone and have a few old phones hanging around, here’s one way that you can perhaps save a life with that phone, maybe not your own, if the brain cancer warning is true.
A research team at UBC is asking for donated phones (IPhone, ITouch, Android or Blackberry). The data devices will be connected to a pulse oximeter sensor that is placed on the patient’s finger. Heart and respiratory rates can then be monitored and displayed. Pulse oximetry is standard in hospitals in the developed world, but not so in developing countries. The phone oximeter is will also be used for other applications, like diagnosing sleep apnea and pneumonia or predicting complications during pregnancy.
Old cell phones can be dropped off at UBC Campus Security, 2133 East Mall (beside the UBC Book Store). More info on the program here.