New self-contained diagnostic instruments to strengthen rural primary health-care in developing countries

Since most tropical diseases and ailments can be diagnosed with a combination of centrifugation and microscopy, these procedures have been used as the basis for designing and developing new and more appropriate diagnostic tools. From the outset one clear design imperative was that all instruments be fully self-contained and in no way dependent upon external sources of electricity or batteries. The instruments include: the `PIMA' PCV/Hb reader; the `SPIN-DOCTOR' mini-centrifuge; the `JABRIC' multi-purpose manual centrifuge; the `SATURN' portable electric centrifuge; the `PORTASOL' solar panel; the `ANAEMASCAN' electronic digital Hb meter; and the `PATHSCAN' portable solar-powered microscope. (8 pages)