Apple co-founder: open-source retinal camera a ‘disruptor’

oDocs Eye Care was named the Most Innovative Mobile Technology Company at the New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards recently, just months after they won over judges Sir Richard Branson and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak at the Talent Unleashed Awards (TUA) – a global competition that rewards innovation and revolutionary businesses.{{quote-A:R-W:450-I:2-Q: We have made th extrely affordable and accessible to benefit regions most in need. Conventional equipment would cost around US$20,000–30,000 (AU$27,000–40,000), whereas our devices cost a hundredth of that, -WHO:Dr Hong Sheng Chiong, Ophthalmology Registrar and Social Entrepreneur}}At the time, Wozniak said, “this is how disruption is done,” in reference to the company’s retinal imaging adapter, also known as visoScope.When attached to an iPhone, the device converts the phone into a retinal camera, while another oDocs product, the visoClip, is essentially a smartphone slit lamp microscope.Company representatives have promised to keep the inventions open-source to ensure the products rain affordable and accessible, and will also donate 10% of the profit from every it sold to charity.“We have made th extrely affordable and accessible to benefit regions most in need. Conventional equipment would cost around US$20,000–30,000 (AU$27,000–40,000), whereas our devices cost a hundredth of that,” business co-founder Dr Hong Sheng Chiong said.The open-source devices are also compatible with 3D printing and additive manufacturing. This allows clinicians to save both time and money as they can simply download the files and 3D print the eye equipment locally.