Robotic microscopy for everyone: the OpenFlexure microscope.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Microscopy Technology
• Open-Source Hardware

Background:

• High-performance optical microscopes are crucial for clinical diagnostics and scientific research.
• Limited global access to advanced microscopy is attributed to high equipment costs and maintenance expenses.
• Existing supply chains for microscopy equipment can be unreliable, slow, and expensive, particularly in low-resource settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present an open-source, 3D-printed, and automated laboratory microscope.
• To enhance accessibility of microscopy tools through low-volume, local manufacturing and maintenance.
• To offer a customizable and cost-effective microscopy solution for diverse applications.

Main Methods:

• Designed and constructed a fully-automated microscope using 3D-printing technology.
• Integrated motorized sample positioning and focus control systems.
• Incorporated modular options for trans- and epi-illumination, polarization contrast, and epi-fluorescence imaging.

Main Results:

• Successfully produced over 100 OpenFlexure microscopes in Tanzania and Kenya.
• Demonstrated the microscope's utility in educational, scientific, and clinical settings.
• Validated local manufacturing as a sustainable and accessible alternative to traditional supply chains.

Conclusions:

• The OpenFlexure microscope significantly increases accessibility to advanced imaging capabilities.
• Local, low-volume manufacturing of scientific equipment is feasible and beneficial.
• This initiative addresses critical barriers to microscopy access in underserved regions.