# 225. Detecting Disease Using Menstrual Pads

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2025-07-29
- Length: 17m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-07-29-225-detecting-disease-using-menstrual-pads
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/225-detecting-disease-from-menstrual-pads-AxE2_6WS

## Summary

Hosts Daniel and the narrator discuss Metro AI, a smart sanitary pad developed by researchers at ETH Zurich, which transforms period products into diagnostic tools. The device uses a test strip with reactive antibodies to detect biomarkers like CRP, CEA, and CA 125, indicating inflammation or cancer, with results read via a companion mobile app using computer vision. The hosts highlight the product's potential for early, low-cost, and non-invasive disease detection, particularly in low-resource areas, while noting current limitations regarding calibration and market penetration among tampon users.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-07-29-225-detecting-disease-using-menstrual-pads#t=0) Introduction: Metro AI and ETH Zurich
- [0:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-07-29-225-detecting-disease-using-menstrual-pads#t=32) Sponsor Read: Mouser and Quantum Dots
- [0:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-07-29-225-detecting-disease-using-menstrual-pads#t=44) The Science: Biomarkers in Menstrual Blood
- [4:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-07-29-225-detecting-disease-using-menstrual-pads#t=284) Mechanism: Color-Changing Test Strips and AI App
- [8:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-07-29-225-detecting-disease-using-menstrual-pads#t=495) Accessibility and Cost Benefits
- [10:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-07-29-225-detecting-disease-using-menstrual-pads#t=643) Current Status: Trials and UX Design
- [12:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-07-29-225-detecting-disease-using-menstrual-pads#t=725) Challenges: Calibration, Stigma, and Market Share

## Topics

- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- ETH Zurich (company)
- Metro AI (product)
- Mouser Electronics (company)
- George Mason University (company)
- University of the Arts (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [522: The Information Is In Poop](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-03-06-522-the-information-is-in-poop) (Embedded.fm)
- [HIBT Lab! Biobot Analytics: Mariana Matus and Newsha Ghaeli](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-02-09-hibt-lab-biobot-analytics-mariana-matus-and-newsha-ghaeli) (How I Built This)
- [Edge AI and its Benefits | NeuTigers's Dr. Adel Laoui](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2021-12-07-edge-ai-and-its-benefits-neutigerss-dr-adel-laoui) (IoT For All Podcast)

## Citing this page

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