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Wide-field Fluorescent Microscopy and Fluorescent Imaging Flow Cytometry on a Cell-phone
Published on: April 11, 2013
Optofluidic fluorescent imaging cytometry on a cell phone
Hongying Zhu1, Sam Mavandadi, Ahmet F Coskun
1Electrical Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
Analytical Chemistry
|July 22, 2011
Summary
A new cell phone attachment enables portable, low-cost imaging cytometry and fluorescent microscopy. This device allows for rapid cell counting and analysis in remote settings, enhancing telemedicine and resource-limited diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Optofluidics
- Cellular Imaging
Background:
- Fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry are essential biomedical tools.
- Cost-effective, portable versions are needed for remote and resource-limited settings, especially for telemedicine.
- Current technologies lack accessibility in underserved regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a compact, cost-effective cell phone-based optofluidic imaging cytometry platform.
- To integrate fluorescent microscopy and imaging cytometry onto a mobile device.
- To enable accessible cell analysis for telemedicine and remote diagnostics.
Main Methods:
- Developed a cell phone optofluidic attachment with a microfluidic channel and light-emitting diodes.
- Utilized guided wave excitation perpendicular to the detection path.
- Processed fluorescent movie frames captured by the cell phone camera for cell quantification.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a functional cell-phone-based optofluidic imaging cytometer.
- Achieved accurate white blood cell density measurements comparable to a hematology analyzer.
- Characterized a spatial resolution of approximately 2 micrometers.
Conclusions:
- The developed platform offers a cost-effective, portable solution for imaging cytometry.
- This technology can significantly benefit telemedicine, remote diagnostics, and point-of-care applications.
- Potential applications include bodily fluid analysis, cell counts (e.g., HIV monitoring), and water quality screening.
