American researchers invent a portable holographic microscope to detect bacteria

Professor Ozcan from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) said that “doctors can use these devices to improve health problems in remote areas.”

The portable device uses a laser instead of a lens to identify germs in water, food, or blood. Cheaper prices are less than $100 (£60). The resulting image can be uploaded to a remote computer for further analysis. Scientists hope that the technology will help improve medical and health services in areas lacking advanced diagnostic equipment. With regard to the invention of the microscope, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (ucla) have published in Biomedical Optics Express.

Micro three-dimensional technology

The device has two modes of operation: the "transport mode" can analyze liquids such as water and blood, and the "reflection mode" can produce holographic images of high-density material surfaces. "The transmission mode is a good observation of transparent cells or flakes," explains Dr. Karl Ryder, Advanced Microscopy Center at Leicester University. "But, if you want to look at the surface of a solid, you cannot use the transmission mode because light does not penetrate through." In reflection mode, the microscope uses holographic technology to generate a three-dimensional pattern of the sample. "You use a laser beam and use a beam splitter to split the two beams and use the two laser beams to illuminate the sample." "You can use the mathematical model to reconstruct the two beams of light to create a three-dimensional graph."

Cheap chips

The key advantage of the design is that it uses inexpensive electronic components instead of expensive lenses. Dr. Ryder said, "There are no optical instruments in this system, making the volume very small, and for small samples, you don't need complicated focusing." And the microscope uses digital photo sensors that are common in iPhones and Blackberry phones. These only cost less than $15. Despite its low price, researchers claim that the microscope can monitor outbreaks of difficult-to-detect bacteria such as E. coli. Professor Ozcan of UCLA stated that "detecting low concentrations of E. coli in water and food is a very arduous task. This microscope can provide on-site investigations."

The device can obtain raw data, but the simple design means that external devices with computing power are needed for further processing. Users can forward image data to their mobile phones, laptops, or upload to internet servers. Professor Ozcan believes that the microscope can provide invaluable value for the medical work of developing countries. "Only simple training is required. In remote areas where medical testing equipment is lacking, doctors can use these devices to improve medical and health services.