The Callascope: A portable, user-friendly, speculum-free device for diagnostic imaging of cervical cancer precursor lesions

Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of preventable mortality in low- and middle-income countries, where visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) is often used for screening. VIA’s reliability is limited by the lack of magnification, absence of imaging for review, and high inter-operator variability. We developed the Callascope, a portable colposcope designed to address these limitations by integrating high-resolution imaging and acetic acid application in a single device. The Callascope can be used with or without a speculum and incorporates an asymmetrical tip for cervix positioning, an integrated camera with illumination, and a built-in atomizer for uniform contrast application. Bench testing confirmed image quality and contrast application were comparable to a standard colposcope. In clinical studies, the Callascope enabled consistent cervical visualization, effective acetowhitening, and reliable image interpretation while improving patient comfort. By addressing VIA’s limitations, it has the potential to expand screening access and support global cervical cancer elimination.