Modular Add-On Brings Polarized Light Microscopy, Malaria Diag**sis to Smartphones
 

Modular Add-On Brings Polarized Light Microscopy, Malaria Diag**sis to Smartphones
http://www.medgadget.com/wp-content/...microscopy.jpgResearchers at Texas A&M University have developed a **vel point-of-care device for field-based diag**sis of malaria using a smartphone. The mobile-optical-polarization imaging device (MOPID) attaches to smartphones or tablets and co-opts the camera to detect birefringent hemozoin in histological samples, which is indicative of malarial infection.

Despite advances in diag**stic approaches and treatment, malaria remains one of the leading sources of disease and death in developing nations. The “gold standard” of detection, evaluation of Giemsa-stained blood smears via bright-field microscopy, often requires skilled technicians and laboratory environments that are few and far between in the regions that are most in need. Even when available for field-testing, white light microscopy tends to report many false positive diag**ses as well. Bench-top polarized light microscopy systems, while more definitive, are large, expensive pieces of equipment that are complex to operate, and to maintain as well.

The MOPID, though, appears to offer a highly-mobile and effective alternative, at a cost that should be palatable in*underserved countries. The device in its current form has demonstrated imaging properties that compare favorably with a reference Leica DMLM polarized microscope – a resolution of 1.05 m, system magnification in the range of 50x, and field of view measuring 0.78 mm x 0.79 mm.

Going forward towards release and dissemination of the tech**logy, the group is currently concentrating on preparing units for in vivo field-testing in Rwanda. To do so, they will be taking efforts to lower the physical profile of the device, improve upon human factors engineering and user-interface components, and lower costs. The ultimate vision is for each MOPID diag**stic test to be priced under $1.00 per result, anywhere in the world.



The MOPID device marks a**ther in a ****** of recent mobile device imaging in**vations that are empowering clinicians and researchers without access to traditional acquisition tools (see our recent post on the smartphone-powered D-EYE Digital Ophthalmoscope or read about tech**logy pioneer Jonathan Rothberg’s plan to bring ultrasound to mobile devices).

Study in Scientific Reports: Malaria Diag**sis Using a Mobile Phone Polarized Microscope

The post Modular Add-On Brings Polarized Light Microscopy, Malaria Diag**sis to Smartphones appeared first on Medgadget.

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