Google’s Microscope Can Detect Cancer

Recently, Google created an Augmented Reality Microscope (ARM) that will help detect cancer.

Currently, the microscope is a prototype, but Google thinks that their microscope can speed the process of adopting new learning tools for pathologists.

The AR microscope is a modified light microscope that enables a real-time image analysis and presentations of algorithms directly in the field of a medical professional.

“The microscope uses a low-cost component and doesn’t need digital versions of tissue to analyze,” Google said.

Other than detecting cancer, the microscope can show text, contours, and heat maps.

The microscope Google used is just a normal, original microscope with a tweak in order to introduce AI technology and augmented reality. Since Google has made the microscope, they have demonstrated the scope’s abilities concerning breast cancer and prostate cancer.

The Google team configured the microscope in order to run two different cancer algorithms, one being able to detect breast cancer metastases in lymph node specimens,and the other that detecting prostate cancer in prostatectomy specimens.

“These models perform well on the ARM with no additional retraining. The ARM has a potential for making a large impact globall…it will detect infectious diseases, including tuberculosis and malaria, in developing countries,” Google said.

“I feel that it is very interesting that Google made the microscope, but I wonder how, in the long run, they will advance the advantages to these microscopes. Eventually, the microscope could become successful depending on how we utilize it in the future. I believe Google wants to help out people, but they also want to receive full credit and most of the money for this microscope,” junior Kylee Paules said.