QC FYI: Handheld HIV Detector?

Imagine if you could test for diseases using a handheld electronic device? Well, European collaborators have developed a medical device that could detect cancer, multiple sclerosis, and HIV much faster (and much less expensively) than current lab tests by detecting “biomarkers” (molecules in the human body which are often a marker for disease) in about 15 minutes.
“The technology could be used in doctors’ surgeries for more accurate referral to consultants, and in hospitals for rapid diagnosis. Tests have shown that the biosensors can detect a wide range of analytes (substances being measured), including biomarkers present in prostate and ovarian cancer, stroke, multiple sclerosis, heart disease and fungal infections. The team also believes that the biosensors are versatile enough to test for diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV.
The technology was developed through a European collaboration of researchers and commercial partners in a 2.7 million Euro project called ELISHA. ELISHA was co-ordinated by Dr Paul Millner from the Faculty of Biological Sciences at the University of Leeds, and managed by colleague Dr Tim Gibson. Says Dr Millner: “We believe this to be the next generation diagnostic testing. We can now detect almost any analyte faster, cheaper and more easily than the current accepted testing methodology.”
It sounds pretty cool, though it’s doubtful that the item will be sold on the popular market. Also, no word yet on the full list of diseases the device will be able to diagnose or if the device is ever wrong.