Modular Smartphone Microscopy With Interchangeable Imaging Heads
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current smartphone microscopy devices are limited to single imaging modality, sacrificing performance or sample format flexibility, and lack the ability to switch between imaging modalities quickly and efficiently, especially for opaque samples like thick biopsy tissues and metal substrates, which is crucial for point-of-care diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
A modular smartphone microscopy platform with interchangeable imaging heads for brightfield and fluorescence modes, utilizing a base attachment and a camera element, enabling rapid switching between imaging modalities and supporting both transparent and opaque samples through transmissive and reflective optical paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a smartphone microscopy device is designed for single imaging modality, then imaging performance is optimized, but versatility and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separable components: a base attachment with optical elements and interchangeable imaging heads. Each imaging head is designed for a specific imaging modality (brightfield, fluorescence, darkfield), allowing users to attach only the needed component for each imaging task, thus optimizing performance for each modality while maintaining overall versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The base attachment serves as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple types of imaging heads through standardized mounting interfaces. This multi-functional design allows a single device to perform various imaging modalities by simply changing the imaging head, resolving the contradiction between specialized performance and general versatility
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple imaging modalities are integrated into a single smartphone device, then versatility is improved, but device complexity and performance compromise occur
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of integrating all imaging modalities into a single complex unit, the system segments different imaging functions into separate interchangeable heads. This reduces the complexity of each individual component while maintaining the ability to perform multiple modalities through modular assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic reconfiguration by allowing users to switch between different imaging heads based on imaging needs. This dynamic adaptability eliminates the need for permanent integration of all modalities, reducing structural complexity while preserving versatility
3Adaptability or versatility
If transmissive optical illumination is used, then imaging of transparent samples is achieved, but ability to image opaque specimens is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system incorporates multiple illumination configurations through interchangeable heads: transmissive illumination for transparent samples and reflective illumination for opaque samples. This universal design ensures reliable imaging capability across diverse sample types including glass slides, clear solutions, thick biopsy specimens, and metal substrates
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides alternative illumination paths by inverting the optical configuration from transmissive to reflective mode when imaging opaque samples. Instead of light passing through the sample, light reflects off the sample surface back through the objective, enabling imaging of specimens that cannot be penetrated by transmissive light
4Productivity
If quick switching between imaging modalities is required, then diagnostic efficiency is improved, but mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses physically separable imaging heads that can be quickly attached and detached from the base attachment. This segmentation eliminates complex internal switching mechanisms while enabling rapid modality changes through simple mechanical attachment/detachment operations
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple imaging heads are prepared in advance for different imaging modalities. Users can quickly switch between pre-configured heads based on diagnostic needs, eliminating the need for complex real-time switching mechanisms while maintaining high diagnostic efficiency
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 platform achieves high-quality, multimodal imaging with improved robustness and flexibility, allowing for efficient analysis of diverse samples, including opaque specimens, and enhances image resolution and contrast through deconvolution techniques.
Implementation Method 1
The base attachment comprises a laser diode, at least one battery, and a switch. Each of the interchangeable imaging heads comprises a light source disposed therein and/or is optically connected to the laser diode. The light source and/or the laser diode is configured to produce an excitation light.
Implementation Method 2
Each of the interchangeable imaging heads is configured to send a unique optical signal to the camera element. The interchangeable imaging head secured to the base attachment is optically coupled to the camera element.
Implementation Method 3
the reflective optical path of the excitation light of at least one of the interchangeable imaging heads is configured to exit the interchangeable imaging head through a port, strike an external sample, and reflect back into the interchangeable imaging head through the port
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides methods and systems for a multimodal, portable imaging platform that can be easily installed on a mobile phone or other mobile communication devices carrying a camera. The portable imaging system includes an electronic device with a camera, a base attachment, and at least two interchangeable imaging heads. The base attachment is configured to connect to the digital device on one side and at least two removable, interchangeable imaging heads on the other side. The connected imaging head is in optical communication with the camera. Switching between different imaging modalities is as simple as switching between the interchangeable imaging heads. Each removable imaging head contains its own light source (or is optically connected to a laser diode disposed in the base attachment), lens, and/or optical filters that can be attached quickly to the same base attachment.