Innovative Homemade Endoscope Revolutionizes Medical Access in Vietnam

Vietnam faces a scarcity of imported medical equipment due to economic constraints. Dr. Nguyen Fuakui developed a cost-effective, locally made endoscope using a Pentium 4 computer, image analysis circuitry, a web camera, and lenses. This homemade endoscope is significantly cheaper than imported ones, capturing images of internal organs without surgery. Future plans include a battery-powered version for wider distribution in Vietnam and beyond.

How much did the homemade endoscope cost compared to imported machines?

What is the next stage in the development of the endoscope mentioned in the text?