Snap it, post it, diagnose it: The Instagram of medicine | CNN Business

CNN values your feedback

1. How relevant is this ad to you?
2. Did you encounter any technical issues?
Thank You!
Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much appreciated.
Close
Ad Feedback
Business
Markets
Tech
Media
Calculators
Videos
More
Markets Tech Media Calculators Videos
Watch Listen Live TV
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
Edition
US
International
Arabic
Español
Edition
  • US
  • International
  • Arabic
  • Español

Markets
Tech
Media
Calculators
Videos

Follow CNN
Download the CNN App

  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Elections 2026
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • Redistricting Tracker
    • Epstein Files
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
    • Markets Now
    • Nightcap
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • World Cup 2026
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • Featured
    • CNN Fast
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN 10
    • CNN TV Schedule
  • Listen
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • Terms of Service with Clare Duffy
    • CNN 5 Things
    • All CNN Podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Photo Shuffle
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN

Download the CNN App
Vital Signs
Vital Signs
Ad Feedback

Snap it, post it, diagnose it: The Instagram of medicine

By Meera Senthilingam, for CNN
Updated 5:10 AM EST, Tue February 10, 2015
Link Copied!
Medical photo-sharing app <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffigure1.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Figure1 </a>is used by healthcare professionals to share photographs and information about their patients to increase knowledge and aid diagnoses. Here, a person uses Figure 1 to see a sigmoid volvulus, which causes obstruction in the gastrointestinal tract.
Medical photo-sharing app Figure1 is used by healthcare professionals to share photographs and information about their patients to increase knowledge and aid diagnoses. Here, a person uses Figure 1 to see a sigmoid volvulus, which causes obstruction in the gastrointestinal tract.
Figure 1
An image uploaded of a patient with alopecia areata, an autoimmune skin disease resulting in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. The angle of the photo ensured the patient remained anonymous. The app also requires users to obtain permission from patients before posting.
An image uploaded of a patient with alopecia areata, an autoimmune skin disease resulting in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. The angle of the photo ensured the patient remained anonymous. The app also requires users to obtain permission from patients before posting.
Figure 1
Figure1 is working in partnership with NGO <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.doctorswithoutborders.org%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Doctors Without Borders </a>to help bring awareness to the ebola crisis in Africa. Here, a post from the NGO provides insight into a treatment facility in Guinea.
Figure1 is working in partnership with NGO Doctors Without Borders to help bring awareness to the ebola crisis in Africa. Here, a post from the NGO provides insight into a treatment facility in Guinea.
igure 1/Sylvain Cherkaoui
Images of test results, symptoms, X-rays and scans can be posted for consultation from a global pool of experts as well as to train others using the app. Here, a photo of red cerebrospinal fluid is uploaded. Blood in the fluid may be a sign of bleeding or spinal cord obstruction.
Images of test results, symptoms, X-rays and scans can be posted for consultation from a global pool of experts as well as to train others using the app. Here, a photo of red cerebrospinal fluid is uploaded. Blood in the fluid may be a sign of bleeding or spinal cord obstruction.
Figure-1/Sean C. Martinez
When users upload an image, any identifying information is removed before the image is posted. Here, an X-ray of a patient's veins, known as a venogram, is uploaded for consultation.
When users upload an image, any identifying information is removed before the image is posted. Here, an X-ray of a patient's veins, known as a venogram, is uploaded for consultation.
Figure-1
Users working in health professions are able to comment on images posted to the app either out of interest or to impart their wisdom to help with diagnosis.
Users working in health professions are able to comment on images posted to the app either out of interest or to impart their wisdom to help with diagnosis.
Figure-1

My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • Elections 2026
    • Redistricting Tracker
    • Epstein Files
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
    • Markets Now
    • Nightcap
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • World Cup 2026
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • Featured
    • CNN Headlines
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN 10
    • CNN TV Schedule
  • Listen
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • Terms of Service with Clare Duffy
    • CNN 5 Things
    • All CNN Podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Photo Shuffle
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN

Business
Watch Listen Live TV
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account
Follow CNN

Download the CNN app
Download the CNN app

Most stock quote data provided by BATS. US market indices are shown in real time, except for the S&P 500 which is refreshed every two minutes. All times are ET. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor’s and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices Copyright S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and/or its affiliates. Fair value provided by IndexArb.com. Market holidays and trading hours provided by Copp Clark Limited.

Terms of Use Privacy Policy Ad Choices Accessibility & CC About Newsletters Transcripts

© 2026 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved.
CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.

Download the CNN app

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app on Google Play.

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from Google Play.

Download the CNN app

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.