Portable centrifuge lets men count sperm at home

June 20, 2016  23:50

A Livermore-based company has created a device they claim will give you lab-quality sperm-count measurements at home. It's called Trak, and it just got FDA clearance to go on the market.

It's basically a portable centrifuge. It works like this: You put a small sample of your semen into a disposable cartridge and attach the cartridge to the base. The base spins the cartridge like a little propeller, and the semen separates out into its component parts. The isolated sperm fills a visible chamber, like mercury in a thermometer, and marks on the cartridge tell you whether you've got an optimal, moderate, or low sperm count. The device also pairs with a smartphone app, allowing you to track your sperm levels over time and compare your results with population stats.

Though it's not yet for sale, Sandstone Diagnostics, the company behind Trak, is allowing people to reserve the device through its website, which encourages users to "Improve your health, habits, and sperm to reach your goals."

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