Medical tricorder

Themedical tricorder was a specialized version of the standardStarfleet tricorder. It was equipped with sensors and analysis software tailored for medical diagnostic purposes. They were usually the first tool aStarfleet doctor utilized when assessing a patient's condition. Medical tricorders could function aboard ship insickbay as well as onaway missions.

Features[]

Medical tricorders used throughout the years have been essentially similar in design to that of the standard tricorder, with the same available features and interface. The major difference is the addition of a deployable hand scanner. (TOS: "The Man Trap";TNG: "When The Bough Breaks")

Functions[]

Medical tricorders could be used to perform quickmultivariate analysis, such as the comparison of several different blood samples. (TOS: "Plato's Stepchildren")

Although very accurate on theliving, it is taught in the first year ofStarfleet MedicalSchool that medical tricorders are not as accurate on thedead. (DS9: "The Passenger") Additionally, a medical tricorder scan was no substitute for a completeautopsy. (TNG: "Man Of The People", "Suspicions")

A medical tricorder could, in certain instances, provide a recommended course of treatment for an individual in hostile terrain.CaptainLisa Cusak followed the advice of her medical tricorder when stranded on aClass L planet to give herself fifteen CCs oftri-ox every four hours to compensate for the excesscarbon dioxide in theatmosphere. (DS9: "The Sound of Her Voice")

Versions[]

22nd century[]

2150s[]

Medical tricorders were in use aboard theEnterprise NX-01 during the mid-22nd century. In2153,DoctorPhlox noted thatSim had disassembled Phlox's medical tricorder, when commenting on his aptitude forengineering. (ENT: "Similitude")

23rd century[]

The medical tricorder of the 2250's took the form of a large hand scanner for taking detailed anatomical scans. The scanner lacked an accompanying display, but rather interfaced with other mediums such as PADDs or the Sickbay computer. (SNW: "The Elysian Kingdom")

In the 2260's astandard issue tricorder configured for medical use could be used with one of several hand scanners to examine a patient's condition in the field or aboard ship. Scanning could be performed for a routine comprehensive assessment or diagnosis of abnormal conditions such as internal injuries, disease, or post-mortem pathology. (TOS: "This Side of Paradise", "Miri," "Arena", "Space Seed", "Operation -- Annihilate!", "The Omega Glory", "The Lights of Zetar") Despite the medical tricorder performing all routine exam tests, an experienced practitioner might still use old-fashioned diagnostic methods. (TOS: "The Man Trap")

A variantpsycho-tricorder could be utilized for detailed examination of a patient's neural activities and recent memories. (TOS: "Wolf in the Fold")

24th century[]

2360s[]

TR-560 Tricorder VI[]

The medical tricorder in use by2364 was essentially similar in design to that of the standard TR-560, a flip-open device with the same available features and interface. The major difference was the addition of a deployable hand scanner tucked into a module at the very top of the tricorder. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint", "The Naked Now") The scanner could provide detailed scans of an entire individual, or give focus to a single area. (TNG: "When The Bough Breaks")

Genetically-engineeredmicroviruses were not generally detected by a standard medical TR-560 scan. (TNG: "The Vengeance Factor")

Dr.Katherine Pulaski used the hand scanner independent from the tricorder while on anaway mission to theMariposa colony in2365. (TNG: "Up The Long Ladder")

This version of the tricorder was mostly supplanted by the TR-580 Tricorder VII in late2366, although at least one unit was used aboard theUSSEnterprise during theautopsy ofLieutenantJoshua Kelly in early2369. (TNG: "Realm Of Fear")

TR-580 Tricorder VII[]

By late2366,Starfleet R&D introduced this iteration of the tricorder, which was very similar in design to the previous version, but had a slightly altered color scheme and interface font. (TNG: "Transfigurations") It was not necessary to use the scanner for the TR-580 to function. The scanner could be separated from the tricorder, either to feed data to another source, or not be attached to the tricorder at all. (DS9: "Babel";VOY: "Time and Again") The medical tricorder was also designed to work closely withsurgical support frames attached tobiobeds. (TNG: "Identity Crisis")

Themedical kit introduced during2368 had a special slot to hold a medical tricorder, allowing access to the tricorder without opening the case. (TNG: "I Borg")

Medical tricorders also contain reference medical knowledge, including pregnancy delivery. (TNG: "Disaster")

The medical sensor unit was equipped with additional sensor ports. In conjunction with a neural pad, a medical TR-580 could be used to link the nervous system of a healthy individual to that of an injured individual in order to stabilize the injured fortransport.DoctorBeverly Crusher used a tricorder to linkGeordi La Forge to stabilize the patient known asJohn Doe. (TNG: "Transfigurations")

The tricorder could be used to record audio. Dr. Crusher used a tricorder to record mysterious voices she heard in herquarters while theEnterprise was trapped in atemporal causality loop in2368. (TNG: "Cause And Effect")

This version of the medical tricorder was equipped with holographic imaging diodes. WhenCaptainJean-Luc Picard completed a computer program left behind by theancient humanoids, the program reconfigured the tricorder to display a holographic message. (TNG: "The Chase")

These tricorder models could be configured to remotely open doors and briefly disrupt aforce field. Dr. Crusher and Captain Picard used a medical tricorder for these functions when escaping aKes holding cell in early2370. (TNG: "Attached")

Shortly after being activated in2371,The Doctor requested a tricorder fromHarry Kim and expressed irritation when Kim handed him a normal tricorder rather than a medical one. (VOY: "Caretaker")

2370s[]

TR-590 Tricorder X[]

Introduced along with the Mark X standard tricorder, a medical tricorder variant was in use aboard Federation starships as early as2372.

Generally identical to the standard tricorder, the medical featured a detachable hand scanner (as in previous models) that fit into the back of the unit. The indicator lights on the top of the unit varied in color from red to yellow to blue. (Star Trek: First Contact;VOY: "Favorite Son", "Prey";DS9: "Soldiers of the Empire"

In2374,Seven of Nine described a medical tricorder she imagined in the following manner: "Duritanium casing. Seven point sixcentimeters by nine point eight centimeters by three point two centimeters.Alphanumeric display" (VOY: "Retrospect")

HypochondriacWilliam Telfer obtained a medical tricorder for his own personal use on theUSSVoyager, despite the fact that he should not have been in possession of one. (VOY: "Good Shepherd")

New tricorder[]

Introduced as late as2379, yet another iteration of Starfleet tricorder departed from the distinct, flip-open style preceding it.

Distinguished by a slim, PADD-like appearance, the tricorder in use aboard such Starfleet vessels as theEnterprise-E in the late2370s featured a large touchscreen interface. Silver in color, it was trimmed with black pads at the bottom and sides, with several buttons at the top. These buttons could be covered by a small hinged door, lined with indicator lights. (Star Trek Nemesis)

Alternate timelines[]

23rd century[]

In2258 of thealternate reality, the medical tricorder consisted of a scanning rod and handheld feedback monitor. (Star Trek)The following year, the scanner had been redesigned into a white oval-shape reminiscent of the previous monitor, and could be stored inside a normal tricorder. (Star Trek Into Darkness)

25th century[]

In a timeline erased due to the actions ofAdmiralKathryn Janeway, a new version of the medical tricorder was in use by the year2404.

An extension of the Mark X model, this tricorder featured the familiar hinged cover design, but contained more touch control surfaces in place of toggle switches. It featured a small handheld antenna scanner. (VOY: "Endgame")

See also[]

• Starfleet tricorder

Background information[]

Gates McFadden, who played Dr. Beverly Crusher, requested a standard set of operating guidelines for props onStar Trek: The Next Generation. In response, illustratorRick Sternbach developed a tricorder user guide, which was later incorporated into theStar Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual (page 120).

Merchandise[]

In 1997,Playmates Toys produced a version of the TR-580 as part of their toy line. Several action figures throughout the run of the line were packed with miniature versions of medical tricorders as accessories.

Diamond Select Toys released aTOS edition of the medical tricorder.