cerviScope portable colposcope--lightweight, inexpensive and electricity-independent for cervical cancer screening: Family Health Ministries (NFP) with Duke University (NFP): winner of Duke-Engineering World Health CUREs nonprofit business competition.

This description is taken directly from the website of ImaGyn, the team that put together the cerviScope: "The cerviScope is a diagnostic medical device that supports the cervical cancer detection procedure called colposcopy. This examination involves visual inspection of the cervix with magnification to identify precancerous lesions. Acetic acid is applied to the cervix to highlight the lesions which become white. White and green light are used to illuminate the area and provide enhanced visual contrast.

If precancerous tissue is identified, the clinician can remove the tissue by one of several procedures, including cryosurgery (freeze), diathermy (heat), laser removal or LEEP (radio).

The colposcopy examination can be completed in a matter of minutes, which differentiates it from other cervical cancer screening techniques which require additional laboratory evaluation. The availability of same-day-treatment is essential in the developing world, where patients do not and cannot consistently return to the clinic for follow-up."

Dr. Walmer is the brains behind the cerviScope. He is the chief of reproductive endocrinology at Duke University Medical Center and the founder and chairman of Family Health Ministries, Inc. (www.familyhm.org)