Human technology grows by leaps and bounds in many ways. And in so doing, it has also benefited human lives in many forms, be it in the manufacture of products and delivery of services from metals to health care. One such advance that can spell better lives through better health is the cell phone that can be used as a portable fluorescent microscope.
Said technological advance was developed by the researchers at the famed University of California Berkeley using a camera phone as a foundation. Initially called CellScope, which is obviously a play of the words cell phone and microscope, takes color images of tuberculosis and malaria parasites that are labeled with fluorescent markers.
Health Implications
The CellScope represents a major advance in clinical diagnosis for the remotest of areas where the typical bench top microscopes used in the identification of bacteria, viruses and germs are not viable for operation. With this development for a highly portable fluorescent microscope, clinical diagnosis is possible just as long as there are mobile phone networks available in the area.
And therein lies the possible success of the invention. Ironically, the areas where health facilities are rare have one of the most developed mobile phone networks in the world. The researchers will tap into these networks to deliver low cost, easy to use and easy to carry clinical microscopy even to remote settings.
Thus, better diagnosis and treatments can be delivered. Keep in mind that laboratory analysis is one of the pillars of right treatment approach, the lack of which in remote areas can lead to higher mortality rates.
Workings of the Microscope
The engineers of the CellScope attached a compact microscope lens to a holder, which is fitted to an ordinary cell phone with a camera. With infected blood and sputum as specimens, the camera phone was used to take bright field images of the parasite Plasmodium falciparum, which causes malaria and sickle shaped red blood cells. Also, Mycobacterium tuberculosis fluorescent images were taken using the cell phone cum fluorescent microscope, with the added advantage that the tuberculosis bacteria can automatically be counted with image analysis software.
In turn, the images can either be transmitted via the Internet to the clinical diagnostic centers for remote diagnosis or analyzed on site. As such, it is useful as an early warning tool for pandemics and outbreaks of tuberculosis and malaria. Keep in mind that this innovative fluorescent microscope can be used to screen and diagnose infectious diseases in a shorter time and, hence, provide appropriate treatment in a faster way.
Cost Implications
Fluorescence microscopy is an expensive endeavor because of the variety of specialized equipment like filters and special lighting than are necessary for standard light microscopy. However, with this new development, the entire fluorescence system can then be made from an existing cell phone with camera and the addition of inexpensive components. The researchers used an off the shelf cell phone with a 3.2 megapixel camera, filters, and a simple LED for the prototype.
In time, this type of portable fluorescent microscope will cease to be a novelty and start becoming a necessity. Until then, use your typical microscope for your research projects.
CanScope complete solution for all your microscopy needs.
Contact: 1 877 56SCOPE(72673) or info@CanScope.ca
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