Mobile Phone Single Molecule Imaging via Modular Optical Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging technologies are unable to effectively image and measure single DNA molecules on mobile phone devices due to extremely weak signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and limited contrast in the optical portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, limiting their application in portable and cost-effective biomedical imaging.
Innovation Solution
A modular attachment device is mounted on a mobile phone, utilizing a compact laser-diode for excitation and a thin-film interference filter to enhance dark-field performance, combined with a miniature dovetail stage and lenses for depth-of-focus adjustment, enabling the imaging and length quantification of fluorescently labeled nucleic acid molecules through a custom software application for image processing and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional optical imaging methods (confocal fluorescence microscopy, super-resolution microscopy) are used to image single DNA molecules, then imaging quality and spatial resolution are improved, but device complexity, cost, and portability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates only the essential optical components needed for single-molecule imaging (light source, objective lens, camera, and filter) from the complex conventional microscopy systems. This minimalistic approach removes unnecessary complexity while maintaining imaging capability, enabling the system to be integrated into a mobile phone platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the conventional microscopy imaging function using mobile phone components. Instead of using the full complex microscope system, it replicates the essential imaging capability through the mobile phone's camera, screen, and basic optical attachments, making the system portable and accessible.
2Measurement precision
If conventional optical imaging methods are used to image single DNA molecules, then spatial resolution is improved, but cost and portability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, specialized microscopy components with inexpensive, commercially available mobile phone components. The mobile phone camera, screen, and basic optical attachments are significantly cheaper than conventional microscopy systems, while still achieving the necessary imaging resolution for single-molecule detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile phone platform serves multiple functions: it acts as the imaging device, provides the display screen for real-time visualization, offers computational power for image processing, and enables portability. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate expensive components, reducing overall system cost.
3Illumination intensity
If high-power excitation beam is used to image fluorescently labeled molecules, then signal intensity is improved, but background noise is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical filter as an intermediary component between the light source and the detector. This filter selectively transmits the excitation wavelength to the sample while blocking the emitted fluorescence signal from reaching the detector, thereby eliminating background noise caused by the high-power excitation beam.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different optical properties to different parts of the optical path. The optical filter is positioned specifically in the emission path to block excitation light, while the excitation path remains optimized for delivering high-intensity light to the sample. This localized optimization allows high signal intensity without corresponding background noise.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution achieves accurate and precise length measurements of single DNA molecules, improving the signal-to-noise ratio and contrast, allowing for effective imaging and sizing of DNA molecules on mobile phones, comparable to conventional bench-top microscopes, with a field-portable and cost-effective platform.
Implementation Method 1
The optical path in the modular attachment device includes a thin-film based interference filter located therein to create a very strong dark-field performance; significantly suppressing the background noise created by the high-power excitation beam.
Implementation Method 2
The modular attachment device utilizes a compact laser-diode (e.g., 450 nm, 75 mW) to excite fluorescently labeled molecules
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for imaging fluorescently labeled molecules (e.g., nucleic acids) includes securing a modular attachment device to the mobile phone with a sample containing stretched, fluorescently labeled nucleic acid molecules and illuminating the sample with excitation light to cause the fluorescently labeled nucleic acid molecules to emit fluorescent light. Images of the nucleic acids are captured using a camera of the mobile phone. The images from the mobile phone are transferred to a remote computer for image processing and analysis. The images are processed by the remote computer to generate analysis data of sample, wherein the analysis data includes the length of nucleic acid molecules contained in the sample or the length of molecular sub-region(s). The mobile phone or another computing device receives from the remote computer the analysis data and displays at least some of the analysis data thereon.